Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), five days after 17 members of the State House of Assembly abandoned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for APC.
Announcing the defection immediately after meeting with stakeholders in Government House, Port Harcourt, on Tuesday, Governor Fubara said his decision is for the interest of the State.
Governor Fubara who stated that he wouldn’t want to make any mistake in his decision, noted that he visited President Bola Tinubu in Abuja on Monday, to inform him of the decision to move to APC.
Fubara who praised the President for restoring his government after six months suspension over the political crisis that rocked the state for about two years, said his appreciation is only to Tinubu, Rivers people and no other individual.
He expressed, “I know you have been expecting to hear from me and more especially this meeting that I had to arrange so urgently. But the meeting is going to end in a very sweet information.
“You are aware that I went to see Mr. President yesterday, and the reason why I went for that visit is not just a personal visit but a state interest consultation. I don’t want to make any mistake this time around. I wish also not to step on any landmine that anyone is laying for us.
“So I was with Mr. President yesterday to brief him on the situation of things in our state, which I believe he has taken note and is going to act sweetly on it.
“But the most interesting part of the meeting is that what you all have been waiting for, what you have been asking me, the signal has finally arrived.”
Fubara continued that with the present development, he can now work with his supporters without interference from external body, noting that the President is in full support of his decisions.
“We have the full support, we have a positive reason to leave where we are because we didn’t get any protection. To go to where the reason why we are still standing is because of that place, and the truth is without Mr. President, there won’t be any ‘His Excellency, Siminalayi Fubara.’ It would have been former governor.
“So we have every reason, because the truth, let nobody be fooled in this state. We have the people, we have the supporters, and we have the numbers.
“Our only thank you to Mr. President is to support him..And we cannot support Mr. President in isolation, and we can’t support Mr. President if we don’t fully identify with him, not backyard support.
“So we have taken that decision today since we have gotten the pass. Everyone here who has followed me, who has suffered with me, our decision today this evening we are moving to APC.”
He however, thanked all his supporters, saying “I’ve not let you down before. I’m not going to let you down now.
“The message is very simple. We are the ones that will give that support, and we will give that support with a loud ovation because we know that the people of Rivers State are with us. Thank you.”
It would be recalled that 17 members of the State House of Assembly defected to APC on December 5, 2025, claiming that the decision was because of division at the national level of PDP.
Blessing Ibunge
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