Amaopusenibo of Opobo Kingdom, Eugene Minema, has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of deserting Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara during his political crisis.

Speaking on Arise Television, the traditional ruler lauded Fubara’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), calling it a strategic move aimed at ensuring peace and stability in the state.

Minema stated that Fubara received no support from the PDP at both national and state levels, leaving him with little choice but to seek a new political platform.

“The person we are talking about, Governor Sim, was actually thrown off board. Rivers State is a core PDP state, but he found himself sailing alone. Nobody came to his rescue. The entire party abandoned him, whether we like it or not. The hierarchy of the party, from Abuja down to the state, never came to say, ‘we stand by you firmly.’ So he found himself wandering in the desert,” he said.

The monarch explained that the governor’s defection was a calculated decision to protect Rivers State from prolonged instability.

“He had to think about what was best. At that point, the best thing was to disengage from the PDP because it was already a house on fire. He tried to put out the fire, but it wasn’t working,” Minema added.

He also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for stepping in during a critical moment, asserting that the intervention prevented potential impeachment and stabilized Fubara’s position.

“The President did so much for him, especially at his greatest problem. Without the President, we would have no Fubara today. All was set to impeach him, but the President intervened at the right time and called everybody to order,” he said.

Minema highlighted the benefits of aligning with the ruling party at the centre, noting that Rivers State stands to gain from this political realignment.

“A lot is to be gained. Whether we like it or not, you need the centre to be by you. The simplest way the governor can say thank you to the President is what he has done—by joining the APC,” he added.

He further commended Fubara’s governance, pointing to the governor’s active involvement in project inspections and commissioning across the state.

“Good governance is already on course. Since he resumed, he’s hardly in the office. Every other day he is on the road inspecting and commissioning projects. What else do you want from a governor?” Minema asked.