‘I Was Never Truly A PDP Member Most Of My Ordeal Was Forced On Me By The Party’

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The political crisis that shook Rivers State has continued to generate reactions, especially after Governor Siminalayi Fubara publicly addressed the role political parties played during the conflict. The governor has now opened up about his experience, claiming that much of the pressure he faced during the crisis came from the party he once belonged to.

For months, Rivers State remained at the center of national attention due to the intense political disagreement between Fubara and former Rivers governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The conflict largely revolved around control of the political structure of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) within the state.

At the height of the political tension, the situation escalated to the point where the federal government intervened. In a move aimed at calming the crisis and restoring order in the state’s political system, President Bola Tinubu temporarily suspended the governor along with members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for a six-month period.

Following the conclusion of the suspension, Governor Fubara resumed office in September, signaling the beginning of a new chapter in the state’s leadership. However, the political realignment did not end there. Shortly after returning to office, he made a significant move that changed the political landscape in Rivers State.

In December 2025, the governor formally left the PDP and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC). The decision was not taken alone; several lawmakers from the Rivers State House of Assembly also moved with him to the ruling party, a development that quickly reshaped political alliances in the state.

While addressing journalists at the APC national secretariat in Abuja, Fubara described his move to the party as both natural and long overdue. According to him, he had always shared the ideals associated with progressive politics and felt the switch merely reflected where his political beliefs truly belonged.

He emphasized that his leadership would focus on fostering unity within the APC structure in Rivers State. The governor expressed confidence that a united political front would make it easier to pursue development initiatives and create a stable political environment for governance.

During the interaction with reporters, Fubara also made a surprising remark regarding his previous party affiliation. He suggested that his connection with the PDP had never been deep or genuine, noting that many of the political challenges he experienced were tied to the party’s internal dynamics.

Explaining his stance, the governor stated that although people might see him as a new entrant into the progressive fold, he had always considered himself a progressive in principle. In his words, the recent transition simply provided a clearer political direction and an opportunity to unite stakeholders under one leadership.

He further explained that his decision to join the APC was among the easiest political choices he had made. The governor described the move as a gesture of appreciation to President Tinubu while also expressing readiness to work with other progressive leaders in driving growth both in Rivers State and across Nigeria.

Reflecting on the political crisis, Fubara claimed that most of the difficulties he endured were imposed by circumstances within the PDP. According to him, his membership in the party had largely been symbolic, and he never truly felt embedded in its internal structure.

To illustrate his position, the governor remarked that during the height of the crisis he was not aligned with any faction within the party. Rather than being part of the internal camps battling for influence, he felt more like an observer caught between competing interests.

Commentary and Analysis

Governor Fubara’s remarks highlight how internal party disputes can reshape political alliances in Nigeria. His departure from the PDP and alignment with the APC demonstrates the fluid nature of party loyalty within the country’s political landscape.

The crisis in Rivers State also underscores the powerful influence of political structures and party leadership in determining governance stability. When conflicts emerge within those structures, they can quickly spill into public administration and legislative affairs.

Political observers note that Fubara’s move to the APC could significantly alter the balance of power in Rivers State, especially given the number of lawmakers who followed him to the ruling party. The development may also affect the future of opposition politics in the state.

Ultimately, the governor’s comments suggest a desire to close the chapter on the political turmoil and focus on governance. Whether this new alignment will bring lasting stability to Rivers State remains to be seen, but it clearly marks a turning point in the state’s political narrative.