By Friday Omosola and Helen Okechukwu
The frequent visits of suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to President Bola Tinubu have sparked speculation, especially amid recent waves of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Several PDP governors, including Akwa Ibom State’s Umo Eno and Delta State’s Sheriff Oborevwori, have reportedly aligned more closely with the APC in recent months, fueling rumors of potential defections.
Fubara’s visits to Tinubu have been interpreted by some as part of a defection plan or a bid for reinstatement. However, the Rivers State chapter of the PDP has strongly dismissed these claims, labeling them as misleading distractions aimed at diverting public attention. The party emphasized that Tinubu’s presidency is not defined by party lines.
In separate interviews with The New Daily Prime, PDP members expressed continued confidence in Governor Fubara’s loyalty to the party, despite the current political turbulence.
Comrade Okey Waka, former PDP ward vice chairman in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, urged President Tinubu to intervene in Fubara’s suspension.
“Tinubu is the President of Nigeria, and he holds constitutional authority above any governor, regardless of party affiliation. He has the power to intervene or even terminate the suspension,” Waka stated.
He added, “Supporting the president doesn’t equate to defecting to APC. In politics, if someone from another party performs well and aligns with your values, you can support them. That doesn’t make you a member of their party. People often misunderstand this. Support is about performance, not necessarily party allegiance.”
Waka also stressed the PDP’s focus on ensuring a southern presidential candidate in the future.
“We’re not agitating to become APC members. Our interest is ensuring that the South—whether South-South or otherwise—produces the next president. That’s why we support whoever aligns with that vision, while still remaining in the PDP.”
Simeon Chuku, the PDP’s Organizing Secretary in Rivers State, echoed the sentiment, asserting that Fubara remains a committed PDP member—just like FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, despite Wike serving under the APC-led federal administration.
“There’s nothing wrong with the FCT Minister supporting President Tinubu’s second-term bid. In Rivers PDP, our major concern is ensuring the next president comes from the South-South. That’s our priority,” Chuku said.
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He also confirmed that reconciliation efforts are ongoing within the PDP.
“There have been several meetings among stakeholders, and the national body has set up a committee to help resolve internal issues. Once the committee’s report is implemented, it will impact both the state and local levels,” he said.
While acknowledging concerns about a possible defection, Chukwu clarified, “If Fubara decides to defect to APC, it will definitely shake the PDP. But for now, there’s no such signal. Until he openly declares his intent, we remain in PDP. Even if we’re supporting someone in APC, that doesn’t mean we’ve switched parties. It’s not double-dealing.”
Opurum Loveday, a PDP member and coordinator of the Young Elite Advocacy Forum, emphasized that President Tinubu is the leader of the entire nation, not just the APC.
“Fubara’s visit to the president has nothing to do with defection. It’s about building synergy. A governor must maintain a good relationship with the president to function effectively, regardless of party,” he explained.
Loveday argued that the visits do not compromise PDP’s credibility.
“It only becomes a problem if Fubara officially defects. Until then, visiting the president is a matter of governance, not politics.”
He continued, “Nigeria is a unique nation. Everyone is affected by the current economic and social realities. The federal government’s actions impact all Nigerians, not just members of a particular party. The situation in Rivers State reflects broader national issues.”
He concluded by acknowledging the complexity of PDP’s internal structure in the state, “The PDP in Rivers State is divided. Wike has his faction, and Sim has his. The political battle is no longer just between a governor and the president—it’s much deeper and broader than that.”
