A prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Sani, has shed light on why the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, was absent from the party’s national convention held over the weekend in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Governor Fubara was among several PDP governors who failed to attend the convention, a gathering that has attracted significant attention amid ongoing intra-party tensions. Also missing were the Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, and Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, who has already indicated plans to leave the party.
In contrast, several key PDP leaders attended the event, including Governors Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Caleb Muftwang of Plateau, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, and the host governor, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
Sources within the party claim that Governor Fubara’s absence is connected to the political dynamics surrounding his relationship with the faction led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The ongoing rift between the two political figures has shaped much of Rivers State’s internal politics and has had ripple effects at the national level.
Despite conflicting court orders seeking to halt the convention, the PDP proceeded with the event as scheduled.
Speaking on Arise TV, Umar Sani alleged that Fubara is politically constrained, suggesting that the governor is operating under significant internal pressure.
“Fubara has been caged. And you know it. All the landmines that were placed before him to make him not be interested in participating in politics are there,” Sani stated.
Sani added that Fubara occupies an ambiguous position within the party’s structure: “Fubara is neither here nor there. He has not come out publicly to say he’s no longer a member of the PDP, and that is why, in our programme of activities at the convention, his picture was there. Unless he says otherwise, he remains a member of the PDP.”
He contrasted Fubara’s silence with the explicit declaration made by Taraba’s Governor Kefas, who is reportedly set to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC). “As far as we are concerned, Fubara has not made any declaration,” Sani emphasised.
Addressing concerns about whether the party attempted to contact Fubara directly, Sani explained that no special outreach was necessary: “It is an invitation extended to every member of the party; you are invited to come or at liberty not to come. We don’t have to call him on the phone or do anything other than invite him.”
