Amaopusenibo of Opobo Kingdom, Eugene Minema, has thrown his full weight behind Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as a necessary step taken in the interest of peace, stability and the survival of governance in the state.
In an interview with ARISE NEWSon Saturday, Minema said Governor Fubara had been abandoned by the PDP at both national and state levels during his political crisis, leaving him with little choice but to seek a new political path.
“The person we are talking about, Governor Sim, was actually thrown off board. Rivers State is a core PDP state, but he found himself in a situation where he was sailing alone. Nobody came to his rescue,” he said.
Minema argued that the PDP hierarchy failed to stand by the governor when he was most vulnerable. “The entire party abandoned him, whether we like it or not. The hierarchy of the party from Abuja down to the state never came to say, ‘we stand by you firmly’. So he found himself wandering in the desert,” he stated.
According to the Opobo traditional ruler, Fubara’s defection was a calculated and mature decision driven by the need to protect the state from prolonged instability.
“He had to think of what was the best thing to do. The best thing at that point was to disengage himself from the PDP because it was already a house on fire. He tried his best to put out that fire, but it wasn’t working,” Minema said.
He also credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for intervening decisively at a critical moment in Rivers State’s crisis, insisting that the governor’s alignment with the APC was both strategic and appreciative.
“The President did so much for him, especially when he was in his greatest problem. Without the President, we will have no Fubara today. All was set to impeach him, but the President intervened at the right time and called everybody to order,” he said.
Minema dismissed claims that the governor had lost political authority by defecting, describing Fubara as a peace-loving leader who prioritises stability over power struggles. “When you are a man of peace, you concede so much. He knows his rights, but he didn’t want to be part of the flames already burning in the state,” he said.
On the benefits of aligning with the ruling party at the centre, Minema said Rivers State stands to gain significantly. “A lot is to be gained. Whether we like it or not, you need the centre to be by you anytime. The simplest way the governor can say thank you to the President is what he has done — by joining the APC,” he added.
He further insisted that governance under Fubara was already yielding results, pointing to the governor’s active project inspections and commissioning across the state. “Good governance is already on course. Since he resumed, he’s hardly in the office. Every other day he is on the road inspecting and commissioning projects. What else do you want from a governor?” Minema asked.
Addressing questions about political leadership in Rivers State following the defection, Minema said the APC constitution clearly recognises the governor as the party leader in the state, while noting Fubara’s continued respect for his former political mentor.
“APC has a constitution, and it stipulates that the governor of a state automatically is the leader of that state. But he is not power-drunk. He prefers a cordial relationship with his former boss, whom he openly respects,” he said.
Minema concluded by reaffirming his confidence in Governor Fubara’s leadership and commitment to peace. “He has started well. He submitted himself loyally to the President and assured him of support. I appreciate the peace-loving governor of Rivers State who has not shifted ground in his pursuit of peace and progress for the state,” he said.
Boluwatife Enome
Follow us on:
