Fubara Reveals How Tinubu Made Him Dump PDP for APC

Fubara Reveals How Tinubu Made Him Dump PDP for APC

  • Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has explained the reason he decided to join the All Progressives Congress (APC)
  • Governor Fubara said it was not a difficult decision to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling APC
  • He revealed how President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made him join other progressive governors in the ruling APC ahead of the 2027 elections

Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues

FCT, Abuja - Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, said he decided to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) to express gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Read also

Breaking: Big loss as another PDP Senator defects to APC, details emerge

Legit.ng reports that Fubara dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling APC, following months of political tension in the state, and marks a significant realignment within Rivers' politics.

Governor Sim Fubara says he joined APC to thank President Bola Tinubu
Governor Sim Fubara says he joined the APC to develop Rivers State and Nigeria at large. Photo credit: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Source: Facebook

Fubara claimed that his defection to the ruling APC was not driven by political pressure. The governor explained that aligning with the APC was a natural step for him.

As reported by Daily Trust, Fubara stated this while speaking with journalists on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at the APC national headquarters in Abuja.

He explained that it was a straightforward transition to say “thank you” to President Tinubu for his role during the political crisis in Rivers State.

“My joining the All Progressives Congress is to say thank you to Mr President and to join hands with other progressives to develop my state and Nigeria at large. It wasn’t a difficult decision; it was easy.”

Read also

'Why Buhari didn’t name successor in 2023 election’: Former DSS boss explains

According to Fubara, he had always identified with progressive ideals, even while he was in the PDP.

Fubara said he was never fully integrated into the PDP’s internal structure.

“If I have to be honest, was I really a member of the PDP? I wasn’t. Whatever I suffered during the political crisis, about 90 per cent of it was imposed on me by the party. I was just there in name. During the crisis, I wasn’t part of any group. I was on the balcony, not inside the house.”

Read also

Abaribe says he will never join APC amid wave of defections

Governor Sim Fubara reveals major reason he joined APC from PDP
Governor Sim Fubara says he joined the APC to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Photo credit: Sir Sim Fubara
Source: Instagram

Fubara shares amount Ibas left behind

Recall that Fubara disclosed that his administration met about ₦600 billion in Rivers state’s coffers after the emergency rule.

He said over ₦300 billion had been reserved before the emergency period and pledged full financial transparency within six months.

The governor commissioned the 14.2-kilometre Obodhi–Ozochi Road and approved additional internal road projects.

Read more stories on the Fubara/Rivers crisis:

Wike, Fubara camps clash over commissioners’ slots

Legit.ng also reported that months after a peace deal between Governor Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Rivers state politics is still tense due to disagreements over the composition of the new cabinet.

Read also

Plateau governor Muftwang set to leave PDP for APC, aide explains reason

Wike’s camp reportedly seeks significant influence in commissioner appointments, while Fubara retains his key loyalists.

Tinubu had in June 2025, brokered a peace deal between Fubara and Wike after a closed-door reconciliation meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Adekunle Dada avatar

Adekunle Dada (Politics and Current Affairs Editor) Adekunle Dada is a trained journalist with over 8 years of working experience. He is also a Politics/Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng. He holds a B.Sc. in Mass Communication from Lagos State University, Ojo. Adekunle previously worked at PM News, The Sun, and Within Nigeria, where he expressed his journalistic skills with well-researched articles and features. In 2024, Adekunle obtained a certificate in advanced digital reporting from the Google News Initiative. He can be reached via adekunle.dada@corp.legit.ng.