PDP loses 2 Govs same day as Fubara joins APC, Adeleke defects to Accord
The Peoples Democratic Party on Tuesday suffered a major blow ahead of the 2027 general election as two of its governors, Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers and Ademola Adeleke of Osun states dumped the party.
Fubara joined the All Progressives Congress, APC while Adeleke pitched his tent with Accord Party. Governor Fubara disclosed his decision to join APC during a stakeholders meeting at the Government House Tuesday afternoon.
“What you have been waiting for, what you have been asking me, the moment has arrived,” he said.
“The truth is that if not for Mr. President, there won’t be His Excellency, Sir. Siminalayi Fubara. Our only thank you is to support Mr. President. And we can only support him by identifying with him.
“I am therefore happy to announce to you that we are joining the All Progressives Congress”.
The governor who said his decision followed extensive consultations with stakeholders such as President Bola Tinubu and APC leaders in the state added that his decision is in the best interest of the people of Rivers State.
Recall that he visited Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Monday.
Adeleke on the other hand formally announced his defection to the Accord in a statement posted on his social media handle on X on Tuesday evening.
“Today, we unveiled the Accord Party, our new platform for the good people of Osun State. From Osun West to Osun East to Osun Central, this is our party, our new platform for victory come August next year,” he wrote.
Adeleke had a few days ago resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the governorship primary of the party in Osun State.
The defection by the two governors did not surprise many as recent political events in the party suggests expediency in their movement from the largest opposition party.
Fubara was said to have no option that joining the APC if he did not want to remain a political orphan after the mass defection of major stakeholders in organs of government in the state.
The recent defection of 17 Rivers State House of Assembly members was closely followed on Monday by local government chieftains in the state under the aegis of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON.
Political observers see Fubara’s movement as the last part of the unwritten agreement with both President Tinubu and his political godfather, Nyesom Wike following the settlement of the state impasse that led to a six month emergency rule in the state.
Adeleke’s defection could be seen largely as a move to secure a second term following leadership crisis in the PDP which may jeopardize his chances .
The Osun governor was constrained to make the move and was at a time in dilemma on the choice of platform to realize his ambition.
He was denied the opportunity to join the APC as stakeholders in the party who are largely loyal to the former governor Adegboyega Oyetola objected to his joining APC.
Also, his chances of flying the flag of the new opposition African Democratic Congress , ADC was bungled by the sour relationship with former Interior minister, Rauf Aregbesola who is now the National Secretary of ADC.
