Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on whose platform he was elected in 2023.
Fubara explained that he left the PDP for the APC as a mark of appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who contributed to his survival in office.
His defection trailed Monday’s exit of 17 Rivers House of Assembly members from PDP, including Speaker Martins Amaewhule.
They crossed the aisle to the APC.
Following Fubara’s defection, the number of APC governors increased to 27.
It also altered the configuration in the Southsouth where all the governors of the six states – Edo, Rivers, Cross River, Delta, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom – belong to the ruling party.
Fubara made known his defection during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
The governor, who was in Aso Villa on Monday to consult with the President, said the visit was not personal, but in the interest of Rivers.
Fubara said he briefed President Tinubu about the development in the state, assuring that he would act on it.
He said President Tinubu was the reason he remained in office as the governor, insisting that without the President, he would have become a former governor.
He emphasised that he decided to move his supporters to the APC to demonstrate gratitude and give full support to the President.
Fubara said: “I know you have been waiting to hear from me. I have to arrange this meeting so urgently. I know it will end on a good note.
“You are aware that I went to see Mr President yesterday (Monday), and the reason I went for that visit is not just personal, but a state interest consultation.
“I don’t want to make any mistakes this time around. I also don’t want to step on any landmine that anyone is laying for us.
“So, I was with Mr. President to brief him on the situation of things in our state, which I believe he has taken note of, and he is going to act swiftly on it.
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“The most interesting part of the meeting is what you all have been waiting for, and you have been asking me, the signal has finally arrived.
“We have the full support and the positive nod to leave where we are because we didn’t get any protection, to go to the place that is the reason we are still standing.
“The truth is, without Mr. President, there won’t be any His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara; it would have been ‘the former governor’.
“So, we have every reason. Let no one be fooled in this state; we have the people and the supporters as well as the numbers.
“Our only thank you to Mr. President is to support him. We can’t support Mr. President in isolation, and we can’t show that support if we don’t fully identify with him, not backyard support.
“So, we have taken that decision today. Everyone here who has followed and suffered with me, our decision today is that we are all moving to APC.
“Now that our position has been made clear, every other formal process will commence. Let me thank you all for your support. I have not let you down before, and I won’t let you down now.
“The message is simple. We are the ones that will give that support, and we will give that support with a loud voice, because we know that the people of Rivers State are with us.”
After Fubara’s speech, someone in the audience went close to his seat, folded the flag of the PDP and took it away.
The dismantling of the PDP flag ended the uninterrupted 26-year reign of the party in the Rivers Government House.
Former President of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, Udengs Eradiri and a chieftain of the APC welcomed the governor to the party.
He said: “It is better late than never. I hope he will be able to manage all interests. As a governor, he should be able to manage all the concerns.”
Former Chairman of Port Harcourt Local Government, Ezebunwo Ichemati, said the defectors would stand on the mandates of Tinubu and Fubara.
He said Rivers would now enjoy peace and progress.
Also, the former chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government, Chijioke Ihunwo, congratulated Fubara for leaving the PDP.
He said: “Your bold move marks a pivotal moment in the political future of Rivers State. I want you to know that the people of Obio/Akpor LGA stand firmly with you as you embark on this new political path.
“We trust that with this shift, you will continue working for the welfare, development, and prosperity of our local government and the State at large.
“May your tenure under APC bring renewed hope, unity, and progress for all residents of Rivers State.”
The accused the APC of pushing an agenda for a one-party state.
But, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said in a statement that the defection of opposition members to the APC was shrinking the democratic space and putting democracy in danger.