The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed growing speculation that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is preparing to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking in a telephone interview on Wednesday, the state PDP chairman, Dr. Robinson Ewor, said any political decision by the governor is his personal right as long as it serves the best interest of Rivers people who elected him.
Ewor noted that he has no knowledge of any plan by the governor to leave the PDP, adding that Fubara has not discussed such an intention with him.
The speculation stems from a peace agreement allegedly signed by Fubara in June during the six-month emergency rule imposed on the state from March 18 to September 18.
The agreement reportedly included a clause urging the governor to join the APC, the one widely viewed as a strategy to strengthen President Bola Tinubu’s chances of securing Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections.
Fueling the rumours further, Governor Fubara was seen on Monday in the company of the APC Governors’ Forum chairman and Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, as they visited President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa.
Observers also noted that in his statewide broadcast on September 18, which marks his return to office after the emergency rule. Fubara made no mention of the PDP’s role in resisting the emergency proclamation. During the crisis, at least 11 PDP governors had sued the APC-led federal government to overturn the emergency declaration, which many Nigerians described as unconstitutional.
Addressing a separate matter, Ewor commented on the Rivers State House of Assembly’s plan to probe Vice Admiral Ibok-Etteh Ibas (retd), who served as the sole administrator during the emergency period. He stressed that the House has the constitutional right to conduct the probe, saying:
“The sole administrator was not elected by the people; he can only account to the House of Assembly. His appointment was unconstitutional and an act of illegality. I cannot dictate to the Assembly on whether to investigate him, it is entirely their right.”
On the fragile reconciliation between Governor Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Ewor urged both sides to disclose the terms of their agreement. He appealed to all parties to work towards sustaining the current peace for the benefit and development of Rivers State.
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