About 24hours ago, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Similaye Fubara announced his defection from the People’s Democratic Party, PDP to the All Progressive Congress, APC. Fubara simply said “Following my visit to President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in which I briefed him on the situation in Rivers State, I had a meaningful discussion with Rivers State stakeholders at the Government House, Port Harcourt.Read Original
“We agreed that we have every reason to identify with Mr. President as I wouldn’t still be here as the Governor without him.
“We also decided to leave the PDP, our previous platform, and join the APC as Mr. President has been supportive all through”.
In the whole speech, Fubara never referenced his political godfather, the former Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike, an indication that Wike was neither consulted nor his approval needed before the action was taken.
Fubara kept emphasizing that his political saviour remains Tinubu himself, and vows to support Tinubu with everything in him.
Few hours after the announcement last night, Fubara is at the time of this report hosting a statewide rally, well attended as a show of force, followers and support base. Both the stakeholders meeting where he announced his defection last night and the rally currently holding do not have Wike’s boys or followers in attendance, including House of Assembly members loyal to the FCT Minister, an indication that all is still not well politically with their supposedly “father and son” relationship as long Rivers State politics is concerned.
Information available from the political corridors in Rivers State has it that Fubara has now become President Tinubu’s adopted political son, and do not need to pass through Wike to see the President any longer, a development that could be described as an “uppercut” to the FCT Minister’s power game. And Wike’s unusual quietness in the past few weeks seems to indicate that all is not well with the political temperature around the loquacious politician.
Fubara is obviously consolidating on his new found Abuja front and is subtly gaining grounds and holding same for Tinubu and himself ahead of 2027 elections.
Recall that at the Abuja front, Wike is at loggerheads with the powers that be in the country, due to his approach to politics and administrative duties as the FCT Minister.
Wike has stepped on very big toes including the most dreaded military cabals in the country, a development that has made him lose much friendship and goodwill at the seat of power.
Analysts are already adding the mathematics to figure out President Tinubu’s game plan to capture Rivers State through a more stable Governor Fubara as against having to contend with Wike who has been reportedly giving the President a lot of issues and political pressure.
A political analyst, Emeka Mba while analyzing the defection of Governor Fubara from PDP to APC has this to say,
”If you observe the atmosphere in Rivers state now , you will notice the entire populace across political divide , are genuinely happy for the Governor. There is a genuine breath of fresh air. Fubara is genuinely and organically loved by the people.
Both people including myself who do not align with APC , are happy for the choice the Governor has made , not because we have suddenly realigned with APC, but because we want the Governor to succeed.
I fully support any move that will contain the excesses , ra$cality and free madne$$ of Minister Nyesom Wikes in Rivers State.
”I fully endorse any move Governor Fubara makes to protect the sanctity of his office ,and Wade off senseless hawks bent on distracting him, slowing him down and derailing progress in Rivers State.
Gov Fubaras move to APC may not be the move desired by many , but it is a necessary move that will bring closure to the needless unrest in the Rivers overcharged political atmosphere and allow the Governor to focus on delivering dividends of Democracy to the good people of Rivers State.
”This is not an endorsement of a one party state , but an endorsement against bullying . An endorsement against the continued harassment, belittling , bullying and intimidation of the Governor by Wike and his agents of darkness who do not mean well for Rivers State and Nigeria.
“Wike does not love Mr president, he is a selfish man giving Tinubus govt a bad name, so as to leverage on it in future for his selfish political gain. We know him and we understand his schemes
On principle, My personal views about APC have not changed , but On this particular one, based solely on the doctrine of necessity, I support Governor Fubaras decision with my full chest, though I do not align myself with APC.
I understand leaders must make difficult decisions in the Interest of the state and the people they serve . This is one of such decisions and I respect it.
We want a permanent political peace, progress and prosperity in Rivers State, and it is a shame that Nyesom Wike who is not on ground in Rivers State continues to overreach himself against a peaceful Governor genuinely loved by the people.
”Congratulations to Governor Fubara and I sincerely thank Mr President for seeing the need to embrace Fubara. Embracing Fubara means embracing Rivers State and we respect that.
”Rivers politics has for long been destabilized and overheated by the manipulative and disruptive tendencies of Crisis merchant Nyesom Wike who through his bad conduct has given the president a bad name in Rivers State. ”It’s a new dawn , May Fubara, Rivers State and Nigeria succeed”. Mba concluded..Read Original