The Story Of The Last South-South PDP Governors Standing
It is no longer news that the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, remains the only governor in the South-South geopolitical zone still holding on to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform, while his counterparts in Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States have all moved into political alignment with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Although, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator DOUYE DIRI had quit PDP but yet to be identified with a new political party of his choice, it’s evidently clear that his next move will be to All Progressives Congress APC.
However, the political dynamics in Rivers State are far from simple. For a state widely regarded as Nigeria’s economic powerhouse—being the hub of crude oil, gas, and other hydrocarbon activities—its political direction carries national significance. The state’s loyalty or opposition to the federal ruling party can determine the balance of power in the South-South and beyond.
WIKE’S STRATEGIC DUAL ROLE IN PDP AND APC CIRCLES
Political observers believe that what has kept Governor Fubara from defecting to the APC is not defiance but strategic calculation rooted in the political influence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
Wike, despite serving in the APC-led Federal Government, has maintained his membership of the PDP, crafting a political bridge between both parties that has allowed Rivers State to remain relevant in national politics without officially joining the ruling party.
Through this unusual alliance, Wike has ensured that Rivers State enjoys the privileges of federal attention while preserving his control of the PDP structure back home. His political maneuvering has produced what is now called the “Renewed Hope Family” — a coalition of loyalists across party lines who support President Tinubu’s administration while maintaining their distinct partisan identities.
In this arrangement, the FCT Minister leads the Renewed Hope Family, while the APC Rivers State Chairman, Chief Tony Chidugam Okocha, serves as his deputy within the group.
POLITICAL STABILITY THROUGH SHARED INTERESTS
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This delicate balance has allowed Governor Fubara and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Rt. Hon. Martins Chike Amaewhule, to maintain their positions without openly crossing party lines. Political insiders confirm that this understanding is designed to protect Rivers’ political relevance and sustain Wike’s influence in both the PDP and APC camps.
AUGUST 30, 2025 LG POLLS: WIKE AND ALLIES RETAIN STRONGHOLDS
The recent August 30, 2025, Local Government Councils election held in Rivers State further consolidated this political strategy. In that election, Nyesom Wike retained control of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area and Port Harcourt City Local Government Area for the PDP—two of the most strategic local councils in the state, both considered his traditional strongholds.
Similarly, his close ally and political associate, Bro. Felix Obuah, popularly known as Go Round, retained the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area under the PDP banner. These victories serve as critical bargaining chips for the Wike political family within the PDP’s national structure, ensuring that their voice remains influential at the highest levels of the party.
In the same Local Government Councils election, however, the APC won 20 out of the 23 Local Government Areas in the state, a development seen as a sign of Wike’s willingness to allow balanced representation while securing core PDP territories for negotiation within the national framework.
FUBARA’S CALCULATED LOYALTY AND THE ROAD TO 2027
Analysts believe that this outcome strengthens Governor Fubara’s resolve to remain within the PDP fold, as it guarantees him a stable base of support in Rivers politics while maintaining friendly relations with the APC-controlled Federal Government.
This arrangement effectively gives both parties what they want — stability for the federal government in the oil-rich region and continued dominance for the PDP in Rivers State politics.
As preparations quietly begin ahead of the 2027 general elections, it has become increasingly clear that Governor Fubara’s position in the PDP is part of a broader strategy crafted by Wike to retain leverage across both political divides. While some expect a formal defection to the APC before the next election cycle, others insist that the current arrangement is too politically rewarding to abandon.
THE LAST PDP FORTRESS IN THE SOUTH-SOUTH
For now, Governor Siminalayi Fubara remains Nigeria’s last PDP governor in the South-South, navigating a delicate balance between loyalty to his party and cooperation with the federal administration. Backed by Wike’s tactical alliance and a stronghold of PDP-controlled local councils, the Rivers governor appears firmly positioned to retain his influence and relevance in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.
— By Emeka Amaefula
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