In Nigeria’s volatile political landscape, Party defections are often less about ideology and more about survival. But for Governor Siminalayi Fubara, whose recent membership in the All Progressives Congress (APC) comes amid fierce political wrangling, the stakes are far higher. This is not just about power play — it is about good governance continuity, institutional legitimacy, and political reinvention in Rivers State.
The challenge now before Governor Fubara is simple in wording but complex in execution: how can he consolidate power within a party already infiltrated by loyalists of his fiercest political adversary without compromising the people’s mandate or derailing good governance and the delivery of the much- touted dividends of democracy to the people of Rivers State?
Join me as we navigate some suggestions which hopefully can become a winning strategy.
*1. Own the Narrative: This Is Not Defection, It’s Realignment*
Fubara’s move to APC must be framed not as opportunism but as realignment in the national interest. He should immediately begin public engagement, telling the Rivers people — especially young voters — that his decision was:
– To ensure Federal collaboration on critical infrastructure,
– To stabilise the State’s political environment, and
– To access the tools necessary to govern without external sabotage.
A leader who speaks directly to the people gains legitimacy that no faction can undercut.
*2. Isolate the Structure from the Politics*
Fubara must now begin a deliberate reconstruction of the APC in Rivers, separating governance from political vendetta.
That means:
– Replacing transactional politics with issue-based leadership.
– Identifying and elevating new leaders across youth, women, and business constituencies, outside the current status quo .
– Ensuring appointments are based on merit and service, not only party loyalty.
As 001 of Rivers APC, the goal should be: build a new Rivers APC that is good governance-driven, not godfather-owned.
*3. Deliver Tangible Governance Wins, Fast*
Nothing weakens political opposition like results. One can not over-emphasise this. Thus, Governor
Fubara must fast-track:
– The completion of signature road and housing projects,
– Completion of the State’s Civil/Public Service reform and Pension backlog clearance,
– Double down on viable and visible interventions in education, health and entrepreneurship sectors of the State.
If people feel government working in real terms, their loyalty will follow — regardless of partisan noise.
*4. Build Strategic Federal Alliances — But Keep Them Issue-Based*
Fubara’s ties to the Tinubu presidency — evident in NSA Ribadu’s recent commendation — must now be leveraged intelligently, not emotionally.
He must:
– Secure Federal support for Niger Delta-specific development (e.g. Ogoni clean-up, energy security),
– Cultivate ties with APC elders beyond Rivers State, and
– Avoid overreliance on Abuja power brokers who have conflicting loyalties.
He nust stay close, but not captured.
*5. Empower the People — Not Just Politicians*
With Gen Z and urban professionals growing in influence, Fubara can create a citizen movement around transparency, digital governance, and *youth inclusion*— effectively bypassing old guard power structures.
Create platforms where the people shape policy (e.g. town halls, online participatory budgeting). If he truly becomes the “People’s Governor ”, political godfathers will have no oxygen.
*6. Use Strategic Silence and Calculated Pushback*
To keen observers of the political chessboard, by defecting to the APC, the Governor’s antagonists hope to likely corner influence from within. Governor Fubara must continue not to respond with panic or public mudslinging.
Instead, he must deploy his signature strategem of :
– *Strategic silence* — let actions speak louder and
– *Calculated pushback* — using Law, Party procedure, and reforms that entrench good governance to block sabotage without stoking or escalating undercurrents of the existential conflict.
That is how to govern maturely and smart.
*7. Invest in a Long-Term Political Ecosystem*
Finally, Governor Fubara must stop being the accidental or reluctant Governor and start becoming the strategic builder of a new social-development driven political ecosystem in Rivers State, for which there is not much time even if he secures a second term 2027.
This means: Grooming loyal technocrats and politicians across LGA levels, creating political education platforms, building an ideology of service, and integrity that survives beyond his tenure.
*Conclusion*
Governor Fubara’s defection to the APC can either be a trap laid by his opponents or a golden opportunity to rewrite Rivers’ political DNA. The difference lies in his strategy.
To succeed, he must govern visibly and effectively, reinvent the Party from within, stay connected to the people, and remain politically nimble without becoming vindictive.
If he employs these strategies, he will not just win the political battle — he will reshape the flavour and future of Rivers politics entirely.
*Tonye Sipoto-Pepple is a Legal Practitioner and Public Commentator.*
