Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). He announced his decision on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Port Harcourt.

Fubara’s defection comes just four days after Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and 17 other lawmakers left the PDP for the APC on December 5. The lawmakers cited deepening internal crises within the PDP as their reason for switching parties.

Among those who defected with Speaker Amaewhule were Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt 3), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt 2), Enemi George (Asari-Toru 2), Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt 1), Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), Gerald Oforji (Oyigbo), and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).

Following the lawmakers’ exit, pressure reportedly mounted on Fubara to join the ruling APC amid shifting political alliances in the South-South region. Once a PDP stronghold, the region has seen several of its governors cross over to the APC since the party won the presidential election in 2015.

Prior to Tuesday’s announcement, Fubara was the only PDP governor left in the South-South, after the defections of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in April and Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno in June. Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri also left the PDP in November, though he has not yet officially joined another party.

Fubara’s defection marks the first time Rivers State—an oil-rich and politically strategic state—will be governed by the APC. The PDP had retained control of the state continuously since 1999.

Observers trace the decline of PDP influence in Rivers to former Governor Nyesom Wike’s decision to back APC candidate Bola Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election after Atiku Abubakar emerged as the PDP’s flagbearer. Wike’s move, which many described as anti-party, eventually earned him the position of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under Tinubu’s administration.

The long-running political feud between Wike and Fubara later plunged the state into crisis, splitting lawmakers into rival camps. The tension escalated into the partial demolition of the State Assembly complex, alleged attempts to impeach Fubara, and violent confrontations between loyalists of both political leaders.

President Tinubu intervened on March 18, declaring a state of emergency, suspending Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the lawmakers, and appointing Vice Admiral Ibok Ete (rtd.) as administrator. When the emergency rule expired on September 17, the President reinstated the governor, his deputy, and the assembly members.

Meanwhile, the PDP continues to grapple with internal strife at the national level, with the emergence of rival factions, expulsions, and counter-expulsions following its defeat in the 2023 general election. The party’s leadership crisis remains unresolved.