The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has dismissed concerns over speculation that Governor Siminalayi Fubara may defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking on Wednesday, the state PDP chairman, Dr. Robinson Ewor, said the governor has the constitutional right to pursue any political path he considers to be in the interest of Rivers people. He stressed that Fubara had not communicated any such intention to the party.
Speculation over the governor’s possible defection heightened after he was seen on Monday with the Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, during a visit to President Bola Tinubu.
Political observers link the rumours to a peace agreement allegedly signed by Fubara in June, during the six-month emergency rule declared in Rivers on March 18. Reports suggested that the agreement required the governor to join the APC as part of efforts to secure Rivers State for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
Ewor also criticised the governor’s September 18 statewide broadcast, in which he resumed duties after the emergency rule, noting that Fubara failed to acknowledge the role of the PDP and its governors who challenged the federal government’s decision in court.
On the state House of Assembly’s move to probe former sole administrator Vice Admiral Ibok-Etteh Ibas (retd) over Rivers’ finances during the six-month emergency rule, Ewor said the Assembly had the constitutional authority to do so. He described Ibas’ appointment as “unconstitutional and unnecessary,” insisting he could only account to the legislature, not the people of Rivers State.
Addressing the fragile peace between Governor Fubara and Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, Ewor urged both leaders to make public the terms of their reconciliation. He said ensuring lasting peace was vital for the stability and development of Rivers State.