The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the formal defection of Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as a “self-inflicted injury,” insisting that the governor voluntarily walked into the political trap that led to his exit from the party.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP invoked the Latin legal principle *Volenti non fit injuria* (“to one who is willing, no harm can be done”) to argue that Governor Fubara cannot claim abandonment or lack of support after choosing the path that culminated in his defection.

“Everyone who has followed the developments that culminated in this uneventful defection will recall that the Governor willingly travelled the path that took him to this destination,” the statement read.

“Having done so voluntarily, he cannot turn around and accuse our party, or any other person or group, of abandoning or not protecting him.

”The PDP commended civil society organisations and Nigerians who, it said, “freely stood up in his defence” throughout the protracted political crisis in Rivers State, adding that Governor Fubara “should have nothing less than praise” for those who supported him until he “capitulated.

”The party expressed pity for the governor and prayed he does not develop “Stockholm Syndrome, where a victim falls in love with his captor,” while wishing him well in his new political home.

In a broader critique, the PDP described the Rivers crisis as evidence of the “dysfunctional nature of our democracy,” where powerful individuals wield federal might to suffocate political opponents and force them into submission.

“Democracy is terribly threatened by acts of this kind,” the statement continued, urging all well-meaning Nigerians to condemn what it called the “progressive decline of democratic norms.

”The opposition party further accused the ruling APC of pursuing a “one-party state” agenda and deliberately constricting Nigeria’s political space, warning that the country is sliding toward “electoral authoritarianism.”

“Nigerians and the global community must note that democracy is under severe attack in Nigeria. Everyone must rise together to oppose this ignoble trip toward electoral authoritarianism,” the PDP declared.

Governor Fubara’s defection marks the latest chapter in the long-running political feud between him and his predecessor, Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, who remains a prominent figure in the PDP.

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State on Tuesday officially joined the Accord Party ahead of the party’s governorship primary, scheduled for Wednesday.

Adeleke resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last month before the party’s primary recently which produced Adebayo Adedamola as its candidate.

Adeleke formally announced his move to the Accord Party thus evening at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Osogbo, in the presence of national and state leaders of the party.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor confirmed that the Accord Party would serve as his new political platform to seek re-election in 2026.

Adeleke said that he joined the party on November 6 after extensive consultations with stakeholders.

“I joined the Accord Party more than a month ago, precisely on November 6, as the platform to seek re-election in 2026.

This was after weeks of consultation and deliberations with stakeholders and opinion leaders.

“We opted for the Accord Party because its mission of welfarism aligns with our passionate focus on citizens’ and workers’ welfare.

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The governor made the declaration moments ago during a stakeholders’ meeting at Government House, Port Harcourt.

Addressing political leaders, appointees, and supporters, Fubara stated clearly: “I, Siminalayi Fubara, have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

”The move ends months of speculation and brings Rivers State, one of Nigeria’s most politically significant and oil-rich states, fully into the APC fold.It follows the defection last week of 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who are loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, from the PDP to the APC.

Governor Fubara had been engaged in a prolonged political crisis with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, despite both being elected on the PDP platform in 2023.

Sources close to Government House say the governor held a crucial meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja on Sunday, after which the defection decision was finalized.

The development delivers a major blow to the PDP and further consolidates the APC’s control of the South-South geopolitical zone ahead of the 2027 general elections.