Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara Rumored to Defect to Labour Party Amid Political Turmoil

Political tension in Rivers State has escalated as rumors circulate on social media about Governor Siminalayi Fubara potentially defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Labour Party. The rumors come amid a deepening political crisis in the oil-rich state, with Governor Fubara at odds with his predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

The Labour Party had previously challenged Fubara’s election victory in the March 2023 governorship election but recently withdrew its petition. Beatrice Itubo, the Labour Party’s governorship candidate, met with Governor Fubara and pledged to support his government for the progress of Rivers State. The meeting has fueled speculation about a possible defection.

The political landscape in Rivers State has been fraught with tension since the election, with Fubara facing a post-election litigation and ongoing disputes with Wike. The defection of 27 members of the 32-member House of Assembly from the PDP to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) further exacerbated the crisis.

Governor Fubara has declared that he will not surrender his mandate and the progress of the state to acts of intimidation, blackmail, and deliberate sabotage. He has also expressed faith in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda at the federal level.

The rumors of Fubara’s potential defection to the Labour Party have sparked widespread reactions, with political analysts predicting a significant shift in the state’s political landscape. If the rumors prove to be true, it could be a significant blow to the PDP in Rivers State.

As the political situation in Rivers State continues to unfold, the state remains a focal point of political intrigue and uncertainty.