Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State, is rumoured to be considering switching from the Peoples Democratic Party to the Action People’s Party shortly.
The indication was given by Action People’s Party National Chairman Uche Nnadi on Monday in Port Harcourt while answering questions from reporters.
In response to the early Monday morning bombing of the APP secretariat in Port Harcourt’s GRA sector, Nnadi called the incident treasonous and an act of terrorism by individuals he referred to as criminal elements.
He claimed that just a few minutes had passed since several party members had left the office following a meeting on Sunday around midnight, thankful that God had spared their lives.
“It is really a sad day for democracy. We condemn in strong terms the bombing of our Rivers State chapter secretariat. It is a heinous act. It is an act of terrorism, a treasonable act.
“We thank God Almighty who spared the lives of our members. Immediately they left after a strategic meeting in the dead of the night, this heinous act was carried out.
“God spared the lives of our members so that we did not lose anyone to these criminal elements,” Nnadi stated.
Nnadi said the blast was related to the political unrest that the state had experienced over the previous year, but it was also related to the state’s October 5, 2024, local government election, claiming the party was ready to make an announcement.
“We are all aware of what is happening in Rivers State, that it is all about seizing the treasury of Rivers State. We know this is not the first time this act of terrorism is happening.
“We have had incidents of bombing before. We are calling on Mr President, the heads of security agencies to go after these criminal elements whose interest is to instil fear, instil violence in Rivers State.
“As a party, we are not deterred. We are sure that they are getting the signal of Rivers people joining our party en masse in preparation for the forthcoming local government elections and they want to undermine this good policy of our amiable Governor of Rivers State, who wants to conduct local government election.”
Nnadi claimed that the attack was part of the opposition’s scheme to sabotage the LG polls.
“We know how they have been shopping for one order or the other in all the courts in the federation trying to stop the forthcoming local government elections.
“They have seen that they have not be able to achieve that and have now resorted to violence. They want to stop the process and the good policies of the governor at all costs.
“But I’m sure the good people of Rivers State know that the intention of the governor is for the welfare and the well-being of the populace.
“So we condemn this act. We call upon Mr President, the heads of security agencies to go after these people who are behind this act of criminality, fish them out and let them face the law.
“We also call on our members and supporters in Rivers State not to be deterred but to rally around the party. Our state chairman is here and he is a strong political force.
“And by his presence and personality, the people will know that the Action People’s Party is the party to beat in the forthcoming local government elections. Their aim is to deter us but I know that our people will not give up.”
There are many rumours that Governor Fubara’s intended move is because his predecessor and estranged political godfather, Nyesom Wike, who is currently the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, allegedly took over the PDP structure in the state.
According to reports, the governor plans to defect to the APP with his loyalists.
When questioned about the rumours, Joseph Johnson, the state commissioner for information and communications, stated that while his principal had recently voiced dissatisfaction with the PDP’s actions, he was unable to speak for the governor.
Johnson stated, “I don’t want to speak on something I’m not sure of. So, if you allow me, I will find out by tomorrow and give you the position.”
