Political tension continues to simmer in Rivers State as fresh details emerge on the intense behind-the-scenes manoeuvring that preceded Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress. The move has since sent shockwaves through the state’s political landscape, weakening old power blocs and forcing a rapid realignment of interests ahead of the 2027 general elections.
New insight into the drama was provided by political affairs analyst Austin Aigbe during an interview on News Central Television, where he revealed that the crisis was the product of long-running internal negotiations rather than a sudden political eruption. According to Aigbe, powerful actors within Rivers politics made quiet efforts to contain the disagreements and prevent an open rupture, but those efforts ultimately fell short.
He explained that delays, miscalculations and a failure to act decisively at a critical moment created the opening Governor Fubara needed to reassess his political future. In Aigbe’s view, hesitation by key figures allowed events to slip beyond their control, turning a manageable dispute into a full-blown political exit.
Speaking directly on the role of former Rivers State governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Aigbe said Wike did attempt to stop Fubara from moving to the APC but acted too late. He noted that in politics, timing often determines influence, and once that moment is missed, authority can quickly erode.
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Aigbe stressed that Fubara’s defection was neither impulsive nor emotional, but a calculated decision shaped by the wider national political climate. He pointed to the growing dominance of the APC at the federal level and the deepening internal struggles within the PDP as major factors that made remaining in the opposition party increasingly risky.
Since the defection, Rivers State has witnessed a noticeable shift in political loyalties, with several former PDP figures gravitating toward the APC. The analyst said this trend has weakened long-established political networks in the state while significantly strengthening the ruling party’s grip.
As the fallout continues, Rivers State politics appears set for further upheaval, with alliances being reshaped and power equations redrawn, all under the shadow of the next general election.
