Fubara Quits PDP, Joins APC Amid Rivers Political Turmoil

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The governor announced his decision on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Port Harcourt, attended by political leaders, senior government officials and community representatives.

Speaking at the gathering, Fubara confirmed his move to the APC, ending his long association with the PDP. He explained that the ongoing political tension in the state influenced his decision, stressing the need for stability to enable his administration to deliver on its mandate.

According to the governor, persistent internal disputes had hampered governance, prompting him to seek a new political environment where he could “focus on the real work” assigned by the people of Rivers State.

His defection has drawn varied reactions across the state, especially against the backdrop of the unresolved political crisis involving the executive and the State House of Assembly.

APC leaders in the state are expected to formally receive the governor in the coming days, with party supporters describing his move as a major boost to the party’s presence in the South-South region.

Meanwhile, the PDP is yet to issue an official response, although sources say consultations are ongoing as the party assesses the impact of losing its sitting governor.

Fubara’s switch came just a day after he met with President Bola Tinubu, a meeting that had already sparked speculation about possible political realignments. With his declaration now public, many believe those discussions may have influenced his decision.

The move is widely seen as the latest development in the prolonged political confrontation between the governor and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly—a crisis that has further strained relations within the PDP in the state.