By Ayodele Oni
As part of political realignment and to ensure smooth running of his administration, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This is a follow-up to the mass resignation of 16 Lawmakers in the State House of Assembly last week from the PDP and joined the ruling APC .
The Governor had, on Monday, met with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja during a closed door meeting.
Fubara made this known during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
Speaking at the meeting, Fubara openly declared that “Siminalayi Fubara has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC)”, bringing an end to his long affiliation with the PDP.
His defection has drawn mixed reactions across the state.
During the meeting, Fubara noted that his move was driven by the need for a more stable environment to run the affairs of the state.
He hinted that constant internal battles had slowed progress and that it was time to “focus on the real work” his administration was elected to deliver.
He said: “I went to see Mr. President not just for a personal visit, but for a consultation on state matters.
“The most important outcome of that meeting is that we now have full support to leave where we were because we didn’t get the protection we needed. The struggles we faced were due to the crisis in the state.
“The PDP abandoned me when I was facing battles. The APC stood by me.
“If President Tinubu had not intervened, there wouldn’t be a Siminalayi Fubara today. We have the people and supporters with us. Our decision is to move to the APC and fully support the President’s second-term bid.”
Leaders of the APC in the state are expected to stage a formal reception for the governor in the coming days.
The PDP in Rivers is yet to release an official statement, but internal consultations are reportedly ongoing as the party evaluates the impact of losing its sitting governor.
Fubara met with President Bola Tinubu on Monday, a meeting that sparked widespread speculation about possible political shifts.
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