By Ayo Kehinde
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The governor announced his defection at a stakeholders meeting held at the government house in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
Briefing party leaders and associates, Governor Fubara said his decision followed a strategic consultation with President Bola Tinubu on Monday, describing the meeting as crucial to ensuring stability in Rivers State and avoiding political missteps.
“I went to see Mr President not for a personal visit but for a state interest consultation. He has taken note of the situation in our state and will act swiftly”, Fubara said.
He indicated that the long-awaited signal for the political realignment had been received.
“We have the full support and a positive nod to leave where we are. We didn’t get any protection where we were, and the reason we are still standing today is because of that new place”, he said.
The governor credited President Tinubu for his rise in politics, stating, “Without Mr President, there wouldn’t be any His Excellency Siminalayi. It would have been a former governor.”
Describing the move to the APC as the only practical way to fully support the President, Fubara added, “We cannot support Mr President in isolation. We cannot give him backyard support. This evening, we are moving to the APC.
He assured supporters that the formal processes for the defection would begin immediately and reaffirmed his commitment to their collective political goals.
“I have not let you down before, and I will not let you down now”, he said.
