BREAKING: Defection rumours swirl as Fubara visits Tinubu in Aso Rock

By Kunle Sanni

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Monday evening arrived at the Presidential Villa in Abuja for a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu, amid growing speculation about a possible defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The governor was sighted at about 5:01 p.m. walking through the corridors leading to the President’s office, where he was received by Tinubu’s Protocol Liaison Officer. Fubara was dressed in a deep-blue long-sleeve shirt, black trousers, and a black flat cap.

Moments before his arrival, Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, was also ushered into the Presidential Villa for a separate engagement with the President. Details of both meetings were not disclosed as of press time.

Fubara’s visit comes against the backdrop of heightened political tension in Rivers State, following renewed turmoil within the state’s power structure. On Friday, December 5, 17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike, and led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, defected from the PDP to the APC, significantly reshaping the balance of power in the legislature.

Meanwhile, three lawmakers believed to be loyal to Governor Fubara have remained absent from legislative sittings since the expiration of the six-month emergency rule imposed on the state. The emergency rule, declared on March 18 by President Tinubu, was lifted on September 18, paving the way for Fubara’s reinstatement as governor.

Governor Nwifuru, an APC member and former Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, has also been engaging periodically with the Presidency on issues relating to infrastructure development and regional security coordination in the South-East.