Rivers Elder Statesman, Bernard Mikko has defended Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and join the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as a necessary move for self-preservation, stronger political protection, and the welfare of Rivers State, saying that that defection was not unexpected, citing the collapse of the PDP as a functional political platform in the state and across the South.
In an interview with ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, Mikko explained that political realities in Rivers State and Nigeria at large often demand that leaders align themselves with parties capable of protecting them and supporting governance, asserting that Fubara’s move was a rational response to the weakness of the PDP, which he described as unable to shield its members or maintain discipline.
“Nigerians, this move by Fubara yesterday, or the day before, wouldn’t come to any Nigerian as a surprise.”
Mikko argued that the PDP had become not as strong even as a banana leaf or a plantain leaf”since the end of President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure. “Because the party became so weak immediately after the end of the tenure of President Jonathan. And the stakeholders, governors, during that 2014 convention, the first time they walked out of the convention and became the MPDP, which you are very aware of. Since then, all the moves they have been doing, I worked then as a special advisor to the policy monitoring, policy evaluation and monitoring. And I saw all what was happening. The party members acted brazenly with impunity. The party became a franchise, you know, for trading. And all sorts of things.”
He said Fubara’s alignment with the APC was not about personal ambition alone but about ensuring Rivers State’s stability and protecting the governor’s ability to deliver governance. “I think he’s right. Riversfield are happy that Fubara has found, he has negotiated his way into a stronger platform that can give him the kind of protection which Riversfield needs. It’s not about him.”
Mikko further elaborated that the governor had acted based on intelligence and security considerations. “In politics, the most important thing is to align yourself to where you will be safe. He, as the chief executive of the state, understands perfectly well. We might be sitting on the sidelines. We don’t read security reports. He knows where his bread is buttered. He knows what was going through. He knows what was happening.”
Addressing criticisms that the PDP had previously supported Fubara during the state of emergency and other political crises, Mikko clarified that while some PDP governors had acted in his favour in court, the party as an institution remained weak and ineffective. “But the PDP is very weak and they should blame themselves. You saw how they didn’t take disciplinary measures against those who were doing anti-party and they were dining with them. So what do you expect him to do?”
Mikko also dismissed fears that the APC could create a one-party dominance scenario ahead of the 2027 elections, arguing that the opposition’s current weakness is a result of its own failures, not the ruling party’s machinations. “I think they should, after this election, they should go and recalibrate themselves and see what they have gone wrong. And they give out research assignments to students to see why we came to this position we are in today. So I don’t blame the APC.”
On the question of whether the development marked a victory for former governor Nyesom Wike, Mikko said the minister had not formally joined the APC. “Wike has not declared for the APC. Even if he said he is working for the APC, It’s a triumph for reverse people because the party, the state, as of now, is being led by Siminalayi Fubra. So where he goes, reverse will follow him because he has the organic support. Wike is doing well in Abuja as FCT minister. This is the first time we are having a minister, FCT, from the south for a very long time. So we are happy with what he is doing. But you cannot say that this is for Wike.”
Erizia Rubyjeana
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