Speculation Mounts as Rivers Crisis Deepens, Fubara Under Pressure
Speculation is intensifying that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, may soon defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) amidst renewed political turmoil in the state.
This follows the defection of 17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, from the PDP to the APC last Friday.
The move has significantly altered the balance of power in the legislature, leaving Fubara with only three loyal lawmakers who have yet to resume sitting since the lifting of the six-month emergency rule.
Speaking on the development, a PDP chieftain and former House of Representatives member, Ogbonna Nwuke, suggested that Fubara might follow the trend of other South-South governors moving to the ruling party.
“If you look at what is going on in the South-South, governors elected on the PDP platform have decamped. When a party is bedevilled by crisis, people will naturally look for alternatives.
“There are speculations that the APC has been wooing the governor. Only he can confirm whether he is crossing. But what we’re seeing suggests he may consider leaving the PDP,” Nwuke said.
However, a senior Government House official dismissed the rumors, stating, “We are not aware that the governor wants to defect… If the governor wanted to move, he would have shown signs by now”.
Meanwhile, Tony Okocha, the state APC chairman, said he had not been contacted by the governor but advised him to “follow his mind”.
Tensions remain high as the Amaewhule-led Assembly continues to query the governor’s actions, including operating with only eight commissioners, which the Speaker argued contravenes constitutional expectations.
