Politics
Fubara Reveals Secret Behind PDP’s Overwhelming Victory In Rivers
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara- has attributed his overwhelming victory at the last governorship elections in Rivers State to early preparations by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State.
Governor Fubara disclosed this when the Inter- Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Rivers State, led by the Chairman, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, who is also the Chairman of the PDP, paid him a courtesy visit at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt, last Thursday.
The Governor said it was easier for the party in Rivers State to coast home to victory because of the wide acceptability and intense presence of the PDP across the 23 local government areas of the State.
“Before the elections, we started a programme to buy into the new electoral law signed by the former President. We were prepared for the elections, it’s only our party, the PDP that went round the 23 LGAs to sensitise the people, not only to register but collect their PVCs. IPAC was part of that process. What we have now is a product of that earlier preparations. We wouldn’t have succeeded if we hadn’t created a contact with the people”, he said.
Governor Fubara, who assured that he will run an all inclusive administration, declared that “with the elections over, it is now the joint responsibilities of all stakeholders in the State, irrespective of party affiliation to join hands to promote the business of governance.”
While thanking the IPAC delegation for the solidarity visit, Governor Fubara cautioned against politics of bitterness, saying his administration will be open to constructive criticisms to deliver on its key mandate of protection of lives and property and improved welfare of Rivers people.
“I’m happy that you are here. We are working towards laying the right foundation for the development of the State. We will work together for the best interest of the State; Rivers State is one family”, he stressed.
Earlier in his address rendered on behalf of the body, the Secretary of IPAC, Omangima Harry, congratulated the governor over his victory at the last governorship elections in the State, and expressed confidence in his ability to deliver good governance in the State.
He said the election that brought him to power was devoid of violence that had previously marred electoral processes in the State, noting that the governor has started governance in the State on a good note by commencing the monumental Port Harcourt Ring Road project with 75 percent commitment of payment of the contract sum.
The IPAC secretary also hinted that the emergence of Sir Fubara from the Rivers South East Senatorial District, which had not produced a governor, has brought political justice in the State.
The Rivers State Governor, also last Thursday, reaffirmed that the foremost priority of his administration is the security of lives and property in the State.
Governor Fubara, who spoke while receiving the Assistant Inspector General of Police(AIG) in charge of Zone 6, comprising Rivers and Bayelsa States, Ben Okolo and his entourage on a courtesy visit in Government House, Port Harcourt, said meaningful development in Rivers State depended on the provision of adequate security and conducive business environment.
The Governor assured that his administration will partner the Police and other security agencies by providing vehicular support and other incentives to make them carry out their work effectively.
AIG, Ben Okolo, who was accompanied by the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Nwonyi Policarp Emeka, and other top Police officers from the Zone on the visit, congratulated the Governor on his electoral victory and promised to explore ways of partnering with the state government to ensure that the mandate of security is achieved.
In a related development, Governor Fubara, on Friday, called for a stronger synergy between International Oil Companies,(IOCs) and the government to promote a thriving business environment in Rivers State and better the lots of the people.
Speaking at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt, while hosting the outgoing Managing Director/ Country Chair of Total Energies EP, Nigeria limited, Mike Sangster and his team on a courtesy call, Gov Fubara said “governance is about making the people happy. When there is a synergy between the IOCs and the state, there will be a much more better business environment and economic divestment in the state.
“So we’ll give you all the necessary support and encouragement, because if you don’t do your business, you won’t pay our taxes, and the tax is what we use to develop the state”.
Outgoing Managing Director, Country Chair of Total Energies, EP, Mike Sangster on his part thanked the governor for the audience and sought government protection of the company’s pipeline facilities in the state.
By: Taneh Beemene
In a statement issued on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Obiora Ifoh, the party said it had taken note of Mr Obi’s defection alongside some of his supporters, as well as what it called a “lacklustre speech” delivered by the former Anambra State governor at the defection event.
“We wondered what new he intends to sell to Nigerians,” the party said, adding that it was not surprised by the move, having “since September 2024, parted ways with Peter Obi and some of his blind supporters in the National Assembly.”
According to the statement, the faction said it had patiently awaited Mr Obi’s exit, describing it as a blessing.
“The party is finally liberated by this defection and as party leaders, we count it as a blessing,” the party said.
The faction further disclosed that it had previously urged Mr Obi and his supporters to leave if they were unable to work with the party leadership.
It claimed that several lawmakers had been suspended for anti-party activities and that similar action would have been taken against Mr Obi but for the intervention of “some well-meaning Nigerians.”
It also blamed its internal crisis on Mr Obi and Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, accusing them of sponsoring what it described as an insurrection against the Julius Abure-led leadership.
“The crisis we had in the Labour Party was caused by Peter Obi and the Abia State governor, Alex Otti,” the statement alleged, adding that it was surprising Dr Otti had not followed Mr Obi out of the party despite his suspension.
Reacting to Mr Obi’s defection event in Enugu, the faction claimed the gathering was largely boycotted by prominent political and traditional institutions in the South East, insisting that those present were “political spent forces who cannot win in their wards should there be an election today.”
It warned that this development signalled the failure of any future Mr Obi presidential or vice-presidential ambition, claiming he had “clearly lost the charm that had endeared him to the people prior to 2023.”
The faction also accused Mr Obi of misleading the South East during the 2023 elections, alleging that the region suffers political marginalisation under President Bola Tinubu’s administration as a result.
“He must be told that the South East lost out completely in President Ahmed Tinubu’s government because they trusted and believed in him in 2023,” the statement said, alleging disparities in ministerial appointments and infrastructure allocation to the zone.
The Abure-Led LP apologised to Nigerians for its decision in the last election.
“We gave Nigerians a candidate we thought was good for the nation in 2023, but time has since proved that we made the greatest political mistake. We plead for forgiveness from Nigerians,” the party said.
It urged Nigerians to watch out for a rebranded Labour Party, promising to present “the best prospect” capable of returning Nigeria to what it described as its “glorious days.”
steadily toward unity, justice, and shared prosperity”, he said.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday at his country home in Ikere-Ekiti, Dr Oluyede said the development came as a shock, stressing that INEC supervised and monitored the PDP governorship primary that produced him as the party’s candidate.
According to him, INEC officials documented the process, completed all required forms, and even affirmed his candidacy in court through sworn affidavits arising from cases linked to the primary election.
He maintained that no court order or injunction currently restrains INEC from listing his name as the PDP candidate, arguing that the electoral body lacks the constitutional power to determine who emerges as a party’s nominee.
Dr Oluyede described such decisions as the exclusive responsibility of political parties, not the electoral umpire.
While playing down panic over the released list, Dr Oluyede noted that electoral processes often involve reviews and corrections.
He disclosed that he had commenced wide consultations, including engagements with PDP leadership and formal correspondence with INEC, to seek clarification on the omission and determine the next line of action.
The PDP candidate assured his supporters across Ekiti State that he would appear on the ballot, expressing confidence that the situation would be resolved in his favour.
He described attempts to exclude candidates from elections as dangerous and undemocratic, warning that such tactics undermine the people’s right to freely choose their leaders.
Dr Oluyede called on the people of Ekiti to reject any form of disenfranchisement, insisting that elections should be contests of ideas, records, and acceptance by the electorate rather than exclusionary maneuvers.
He also declared that the PDP in Ekiti had resolved its past internal crises and was now united, focused, and ready to win the forthcoming governorship election.
He urged party members and supporters to remain calm and focused, expressing optimism that, with divine grace and the will of the people, the PDP would emerge victorious at the polls.
Mr Obi spoke while formally declaring for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at a well-attended event in Enugu on Wednesday, where he outlined what he described as a fresh roadmap for rescuing the country from its socio-economic challenges.
Addressing party members, supporters and other stakeholders, the former governor stressed that leadership must be driven by integrity and accountability, warning against the culture of double standards in public office.
“We cannot continue to deceive our people. Leadership is about telling the truth and leading by example. You cannot promise one thing in public and do another in private. That is not leadership, and that is not the change Nigeria needs”, Mr Obi said.
He maintained that genuine national rebirth would only be possible if entrenched wrongs were corrected, adding that governance must be guided by competence, discipline and a clear sense of purpose.
Mr Obi also underscored the need for fresh thinking in the nation’s political space, urging political actors to move away from recycled ideas that have failed to deliver sustainable development.
“We must come with new ideas,” he said, adding that “Nigeria’s problems are not mysterious; what has been lacking is the courage and competence to address them differently. We need a new approach that puts people first and focuses on production, not consumption.”
Calling for a broad based political collaboration, Mr Obi appealed to parties and stakeholders across ideological divides to work together in the national interest.
“This country is bigger than any party or individual. All parties must come together to change the present trend. What matters is not the platform, but the future of Nigeria and the wellbeing of its citizens”, he declared.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, Mr Obi challenged aspirants seeking elective offices to ensure transparency in their credentials, warning that the era of falsified certificates was drawing to a close.
“Anyone contesting for any position in 2027 must come with genuine certificates. All the machinery is now in place to verify what is genuine and what is not. Integrity must start from the very foundation of leadership”, he stated.
Drawing lessons from international development models, Mr Obi cited Rwanda and Indonesia as examples of countries that rose from difficult beginnings to become thriving economies through disciplined leadership and sound policies.
“These countries were once behind us,” he noted, adding that “Today, they are moving ahead because they chose competent leadership, clear vision and policies that support local production and human capital development.”
He also criticised the economic policies of the present administration, particularly the continued importation of food items that can be produced locally, describing such practices as inimical to national development.
“You cannot grow an economy by killing local production. Importing food that we can produce in Nigeria destroys jobs, weakens our farmers and drains our foreign exchange. A serious country must produce what it consumes”, he argued.
The event featured renewed calls from ADC supporters for sustained engagement and mobilisation, as Mr Obi reiterated his belief that Nigeria remains redeemable if led with honesty, competence and a commitment to shared national progress.
In his remarks, the National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, expressed confidence in the emerging coalition, assuring Nigerians that the party would deliver good governance at all levels of administration if entrusted with power.
The gathering also witnessed the defection of several prominent politicians from different political parties across the South-East and beyond.
The motion endorsing the defection was moved by a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, and seconded by former economic adviser to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Osita Ogbu.
Goodwill messages from notable political figures, including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Mrs. Aisha Yesufu, Chief Sam Egwu, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Chief Achike Udenwa, Mr Onyema Ugochukwu and Senator Gilbert Nnaji among others, further underscored the growing momentum within the ADC.
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