Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has publicly detailed the reasons behind his significant political move from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He attributed the decision primarily to a gesture of gratitude towards President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
A Decision Driven by Gratitude, Not Pressure
Governor Fubara, speaking to journalists on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at the APC national headquarters in Abuja, firmly stated that his defection was not a result of political coercion. He described the transition as a natural and straightforward step. The governor explained that his primary motivation was to express thanks to President Tinubu for the latter's role during the protracted political crisis that rocked Rivers State.
"My joining the All Progressives Congress is to say thank you to Mr President and to join hands with other progressives to develop my state and Nigeria at large," Fubara stated. He emphasized, "It wasn't a difficult decision; it was easy." This move marks a major realignment in the state's political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
"I Was Never Really a PDP Member"
In a revealing admission, Governor Fubara questioned his actual integration into the PDP's structures, despite being elected on its platform. He claimed to have always identified with progressive ideals, suggesting a philosophical disconnect with his former party.
"If I have to be honest, was I really a member of the PDP? I wasn't," Fubara declared. He elaborated on his experience during the political turmoil, stating, "Whatever I suffered during the political crisis, about 90 per cent of it was imposed on me by the party. I was just there in name. During the crisis, I wasn't part of any group. I was on the balcony, not inside the house."
Background: Peace Deal and Ongoing Tensions
This defection follows months of political tension in Rivers State, primarily between Governor Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. President Tinubu had brokered a peace deal between the two political figures in June 2025 after a closed-door reconciliation meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
However, reports indicate that politics in the state remains tense, with disagreements persisting over the composition of the state's executive council. Wike's camp is said to be pushing for significant influence in commissioner appointments, while Governor Fubara has retained his key loyalists.
In related financial disclosures, Governor Fubara recently revealed that his administration met about ₦600 billion in the state's coffers after a period of emergency rule. He noted that over ₦300 billion had been reserved before that period and pledged full financial transparency within six months. His administration has also been active in infrastructure, commissioning the 14.2-kilometre Obodhi–Ozochi Road and approving additional internal road projects.
