Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has received members of the National Assembly who recently crossed over from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing their decision as timely and strategic for both the state and the country.
No fewer than eleven federal lawmakers have so far defected from the PDP to the APC, alongside one lawmaker who left the Labour Party.
Reacting to the development in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Boniface Onyedi, Governor Fubara said the defections affirm the political direction he had earlier taken by aligning with the ruling party.
According to the governor, the lawmakers’ decision reflects a shared commitment to development and reinforces his resolve to place Rivers State in a stronger position within the national political structure. He noted that the growing alignment would help ensure that Rivers State plays a more central role in national governance while attracting greater opportunities for growth and development.
Governor Fubara further explained that the defections are consistent with the ongoing reforms of the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He expressed optimism that the expanding bloc of APC lawmakers from Rivers State would help advance the President’s policies and reforms at the National Assembly.
The governor also reiterated his personal determination to support President Tinubu’s re-election bid in the 2027 general elections, stressing that political unity is essential for stability and progress.
He urged Rivers residents who share similar aspirations for peace and development to join the APC and contribute to what he described as a new phase of prosperity for the state.
Among those who have defected are two Senators, Allwell Onyesoh, representing Rivers East, and Barinada Mpigi, representing Rivers South-East. In the House of Representatives, recent defectors include Dumnamene Dekor, Solomon Bob, Cyril Hart, Victor Obuzor, Blessing Amadi, and Felix Nwaeke. Others who crossed over earlier are Awaji-Inombek Abiante, Boniface Emerengwa, Boma Goodhead, and Umezuruike Manuchim of the Labour Party.
What you should know
The defections mark a significant political realignment in Rivers State, traditionally considered a PDP stronghold.
Governor Fubara’s endorsement suggests a deliberate effort to consolidate power within the APC ahead of future elections. The move could reshape legislative dynamics at the federal level, strengthen the APC’s influence in the Niger Delta, and affect policy support for President Tinubu’s administration.
However, it also raises questions about opposition strength in Rivers State and how the shifting alliances may impact grassroots politics, governance, and voter sentiment as the 2027 elections approach.
