Dare Babalola
In a significant political shake-up, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), while Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has joined the Accord Party.
This leaves Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde as the PDP’s sole remaining governor in the southern region.
Tinubu saved me from impeachment – Fubara
Governor Fubara announced his decision to join the APC during a stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, citing the PDP’s inability to protect him during the state’s recent political turmoil.
“And the truth is, without Mr. President (Bola Tinubu), there won’t be any His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara. It would have been former governor,” he said, expressing gratitude for Tinubu’s support.
He added, “So we have every reason because the truth is, let nobody be fooled in this state, we have the people, we have the supporters and we have the numbers.
“Our only thank you to Mr. President is to support him. And we cannot support Mr. President in isolation.
“And we can’t support Mr. President if we don’t fully identify with him, not backyard support.
“So we have taken that decision today. Since we’ve gotten the pass. Everyone here who have followed me, who have suffered with me, our decision today, this evening is we are moving to APC.
“Now, that our position has been made clear, every other formal process will commence.”
Fubara’s move follows a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja on Monday and comes amid a bitter feud with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Recall that the crisis between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly escalated into a full-blown political standoff, marked by impeachment threats, the partial demolition of the Assembly complex, and a bitter feud with former allies, including Minister Nyesom Wike.
In response, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, suspending Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the entire House of Assembly for six months.
Citing “total paralysis of governance” and threats to public safety, Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as administrator.
The move aimed to restore order amid pipeline vandalism and political violence, though it sparked legal challenges and debates over executive overreach.
The emergency rule ended on September 18, 2025, with Tinubu reinstating Fubara and the Assembly, citing a “new spirit of understanding” in the state.
Recently, 17 Assembly members loyal to Wike defected to the APC leaving just three PDP lawmakers supporting Fubara.
Accord Party’s welfarism aligns with my vision for Osun citizens, workers – Adeleke
On his part, Governor Adeleke revealed he joined the Accord Party on November 6, aiming to seek re-election in 2026 on the party’s platform.
He emphasised the party’s focus on citizens’ welfare aligns with his administration’s priorities. Adeleke formally announced his new party on Tuesday at the Government House in Osogbo after weeks of speculations about his political destination following the prolonged crisis in the state.
The governor, who announced the unveiling of Accord Party as his new platform in the presence of national officers of the party, said on his X handle that he intends to complete ongoing delivery of good governance and democratic dividends to the people of the state on the platform of the new party.
“We opted for the Accord Party because its mission of welfarism aligns with our passionate focus on citizens and workers’ welfare. Since I joined, I have been fascinated by the philosophy of this great party. The primary essence of a government is the welfare and well being of the people.
“I welcome the leadership of the Accord from the National into Osun State. You are now part of us as I am also now part of you. We are united in progress and good intentions for the good people of Osun State and Nigeria at large,” Adeleke stated.
The defections mark a major shift in Nigeria’s political landscape, strengthening the APC’s influence in the South-South region, where it now controls all six states.
The PDP, already grappling with internal crises, faces further challenges as Makinde navigates the party’s future, amidst tensions with Wike and others.
