Rivers State is once again at the center of political intrigue. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers governor, Nyesom Wike, has finally broken his silence on Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s sensational defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Wike, a heavyweight in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), claims he’s “unbothered” by Fubara’s move, insisting the governor is free to join any party he wants,no permission needed.
Wike’s comments, made during a highly anticipated media chat at his Port Harcourt residence, come as Rivers State reels from a wave of defections. Fubara’s switch from PDP to APC has sparked heated debates, with many questioning the motives behind this high-profile political U-turn. The state, known for its fierce political rivalries, is now witnessing yet another round of shifting alliances.
According to Wike, Fubara’s defection was “no surprise.” He pointed out that the writing was on the wall after most House of Assembly members and local government chairmen had already jumped ship to the APC. “He saw that the House of Assembly members left for APC. He saw that all the council chairmen left for APC. It’s natural that the governor will also have to leave for APC,” Wike declared, brushing off any suggestion of shock or betrayal.
Wike was quick to distance himself from the drama, stating he has “no right” to stop anyone from switching parties. “I cannot say that I have any right to stop somebody from associating with any party or whatever,” he said, in what many see as a calculated move to avoid taking sides. He also took a swipe at critics, noting that those who once accused him of being pro-APC are now the ones defecting.
But Wike didn’t stop there. He issued a thinly veiled warning to Fubara and other defectors: joining the APC is no guarantee of political success. “So many people think that when you sing ‘on your mandate, we stand,’ that gives you an automatic ticket. And that’s why I’ve said no, it doesn’t give anybody a ticket. You have to work. You have to earn the ticket for you to present to your people,” Wike cautioned, hinting at tough times ahead for the new APC converts.
Fubara’s defection comes hot on the heels of a secretive meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja. Shortly after, Fubara pledged “full support” to the President ahead of the next general elections,a move widely seen as a bid to curry favor with the federal government and secure more resources for Rivers State.
Wike’s remarks highlight the ever-shifting sands of Nigerian politics, where loyalty is often fleeting and survival trumps ideology. His hands-off approach is being interpreted as both a power play and a warning shot to those who think switching parties is a shortcut to political glory.
As Rivers State braces for more political fireworks, all eyes remain on the Wike-Fubara dynamic. Will Fubara’s gamble pay off, or will it backfire spectacularly as the 2027 elections loom? One thing is certain: the drama in Rivers is far from over, and the stakes have never been higher.
