Political Realignment in Rivers: Fubara's Defection and Tinubu's Orchestration
The political landscape of Rivers State has been irrevocably altered following Governor Siminalayi Fubara 's defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). This high-stakes move, announced just hours after a crucial closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja , underscores a strategic realignment of power and loyalty within one of Nigeria 's most politically volatile states. Fubara’s declaration that he would have been an "ex-governor" without President Tinubu’s intervention illuminates the profound influence of the presidency in resolving local political impasses and shaping party allegiances, ultimately confirming the president's role as the paramount arbiter in the intricate web of Nigerian politics . Background to a High-Stakes Defection The genesis of this dramatic shift lies in a protracted and acrimonious feud between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike , now the Minister of t...