Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s recent defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has drawn significant commentary, with Hon. Tambari Sydney Gbara, a key ally, asserting the governor navigated a preceding political crisis with minimal institutional support. Gbara claimed Fubara relied on personal fortitude and divine intervention before making the pivotal move. This defection marks a critical shift in the political landscape of Rivers State, concluding months of intense speculation and internal party strife that had gripped the oil-rich region.

During an interview with News Central TV, Gbara detailed the challenging circumstances faced by Governor Fubara. He described a profound lack of conventional political backing, stating that Fubara and his loyalists found themselves without a robust party structure to lean on amidst the height of the conflict. This situation, according to Gbara, forced them into an unprecedented position where they had to make critical decisions independently, devoid of the customary widespread political support typically afforded to leaders within established parties.

Gbara underscored the traditional role of a political party in providing a protective shield and strategic backup for its members, particularly during times of adversity. He contrasted this norm with Fubara’s experience, where the governor reportedly operated in a vacuum, lacking the institutional safety net usually associated with party affiliation. This alleged absence of a support system meant Fubara’s administration had to confront significant political headwinds largely on its own terms, navigating complex power dynamics and factional disputes within the state’s political arena.

The period of crisis, though not explicitly detailed by Gbara in terms of specific events, is understood to have been characterized by considerable internal political friction within the state’s dominant party. Gbara vehemently denied that Governor Fubara’s eventual defection was a hasty or emotionally driven decision. Instead, he portrayed it as the culmination of extensive and intense deliberations involving the governor and his closest confidantes. These discussions, Gbara indicated, meticulously reviewed past challenges and strategically assessed the optimal path forward to ensure a more stable political environment for governance.

Gbara stressed that the decision to align with the APC was not an arbitrary or sudden pronouncement. He affirmed that Fubara engaged in thorough consultations and strategic planning before the final announcement was made, dispelling any notions of impulsiveness. This calculated move, according to Gbara, aimed to secure a stronger political foundation, which is deemed essential for the effective implementation of developmental agendas and for consolidating the governor’s position within the intricate Nigerian political framework.

The new political alignment is presented by Gbara as a crucial step towards providing Governor Fubara with enhanced backing and a clearer trajectory to concentrate on delivering development initiatives for Rivers State. He suggested that the previous political environment had been fraught with distractions and internal power struggles, hindering governance. The defection, therefore, is framed as a pragmatic decision designed to streamline Fubara’s administrative efforts and ensure a more conducive atmosphere for policy execution and public service delivery.

Political defections are a recurring feature of Nigeria’s multi-party democracy, often driven by a complex interplay of personal ambition, ideological differences, regional alignments, and the pursuit of political expediency. Such moves frequently reshape political landscapes at both state and national levels, leading to shifts in power balances and the formation of new alliances. Fubara’s defection, while significant for Rivers State, reflects a broader trend within Nigerian politics where party loyalty can sometimes be fluid, particularly when perceived political survival or advancement is at stake.

Observers suggest that the governor’s move to the APC could potentially stabilise his administration, providing him with a more unified front against any lingering internal opposition or external challenges. A stronger political base often translates into greater legislative cooperation and ease in implementing state policies, which could ultimately benefit the populace through accelerated development projects and improved public services. However, such realignments also carry the risk of alienating segments of the original political base, necessitating careful political management.

Reiterating his earlier assertion, Gbara concluded by emphasizing the solitary struggle Fubara allegedly endured: “At the time of the crisis, our governor was actually standing alone, we were standing alone, we fought on our own, we didn’t have any support, nobody to run to except God.” This powerful statement encapsulates the perceived isolation and the reliance on an inner circle of committed individuals that, according to Gbara, characterised Fubara’s journey prior to his strategic political re-alignment.

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Keywords: Siminalayi Fubara, Rivers State politics, APC defection, Political crisis Nigeria, Tambari Sydney Gbara, Nigerian political realignment, Fubara political isolation, Rivers State development