A Seismic Shift in the Niger Delta: Fubara’s Bold Leap to the APC
In a move that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape, Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) marks a watershed moment for Rivers State, ending decades of PDP dominance in this oil-rich region. The announcement, made at a stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt’s Government House on December 8, 2025, not only reshapes the state’s political identity but also signals a strategic expansion of President Bola Tinubu’s influence in the South-South.
With 17 lawmakers from the Rivers House of Assembly already having joined the APC, Fubara’s switch cements the party’s foothold in a territory once considered PDP’s unassailable stronghold. The realignment is poised to recalibrate power dynamics ahead of the 2027 elections, leaving the PDP grappling with depleted structures while the APC gains momentum. Grassroots politicians are swiftly adjusting to the new order, sensing opportunity in the ruling party’s fresh grip.
Yet, this political gamble comes with undercurrents of risk. Fubara’s decision deepens the chasm with his predecessor, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, a PDP stalwart, potentially sparking factional battles within the APC in Rivers. The governor’s ability to navigate these complexities will define his next steps. Backed by federal support and a unified party alignment, Fubara is poised to push his development agenda with fewer hurdles, but the journey ahead is anything but straightforward.
This isn’t just a change of party affiliation—it’s a redefinition of Rivers State’s political narrative, one that will echo through governance and elections for years to come. As the dust settles, one question lingers: what next for the PDP in the South-South? The suspense is palpable.
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