The Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State has dismissed concerns over speculation that Governor Siminalayi Fubara may defect to the All Progressives Congress, saying the governor’s political decisions are entirely his own.
Speaking on the matter, the PDP State Chairman, Hon. Desmond Akawor, clarified that the party remains unconcerned by the rumours.
According to him, “whatever decision the governor takes is personal.”
He added that Governor Fubara, like any Nigerian, has the constitutional right to align with any political interest, so long as such a move serves the best interest of the people of Rivers State who elected him.
During the six-month emergency rule declared on March 18—which ended on September 18—there were reports suggesting that one of the conditions in a peace agreement allegedly signed by Governor Fubara in June included a planned defection to the APC.
However, Ewor stated that he was unaware of any such plan and emphasized that Governor Fubara had not communicated any intention to leave the PDP.
Fueling the speculation, Governor Fubara was seen earlier this week with Senator Hope Uzodimma, the Governor of Imo State and Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum, during a visit to President Bola Tinubu’s office. The presence of the Rivers governor in such company has intensified suspicions of a potential political shift.
Observers also noted the governor’s recent statewide broadcast on September 18, following the end of the emergency rule. In the address, Fubara notably did not acknowledge the role of the PDP in resisting the emergency declaration, a move that has raised eyebrows within party ranks.
It is worth recalling that during the political crisis earlier in the year, at least 11 PDP governors had taken legal action against the APC-led federal government, challenging the imposition of emergency rule in Rivers State. Various civil society groups and prominent Nigerians also condemned the emergency declaration, labelling it as unconstitutional.
