Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He announced this at a stakeholders meeting at the government house in Port Harcourt.
Addressing political leaders, senior officials, and invited groups, Fubara declared, “Siminalayi Fubara has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC),” marking the end of his long-standing association with the PDP.
The declaration has sparked mixed reactions across the state, particularly as Rivers continues to face political instability.
Fubara explained that his defection was motivated by the need for a more stable environment to govern effectively.
He added that internal party conflicts had hindered progress, and it was time to “focus on the real work” his administration was elected to deliver.
APC leaders in Rivers are expected to hold a formal reception for the governor in the coming days.
Early reactions from party members describe his defection as a major boost for the APC’s influence in the South-South region.
Meanwhile, the PDP has yet to issue an official response, though internal consultations are reportedly ongoing to assess the implications of losing a sitting governor.
Governor Fubara had met with President Bola Tinubu on Monday, a meeting that fueled speculation about potential political shifts.
Many now believe that discussion may have influenced his decision to switch parties.
This move comes amid a prolonged clash between Governor Fubara and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, a conflict that has deepened divisions within the PDP.
His defection appears to be the latest chapter in that long-running political struggle.