Fubara Confesses: “Tinubu Saved Me” — Suspended Rivers Governor Prostrates for Wike, Says “My Oga, Forgive Me,” Hints APC Defection in Power Move

Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has unleashed a political storm with his latest remarks, claiming that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was the sole force that rescued him from total political erasure during his months-long conflict with his estranged political godfather, Nyesom Wike. Fubara’s stunning admission, made during a closed-door conversation that leaked on social media, portrayed his supposed allies in Rivers as indifferent and unwilling to support him during his darkest hour.

Fubara’s emotionally charged statement, “If you find me in the APC tomorrow, just know it is for the good of Rivers People,” has sparked intense backlash, particularly among die-hard PDP loyalists, who now feel betrayed. Many observers interpret the statement as a preamble to his defection to the APC, which, if executed, would dramatically shift the political balance in the South-South region and further cement Tinubu’s influence in a traditionally opposition stronghold.

Behind Closed Doors: Fubara Prostrates Before Wike in Abuja

In a jaw-dropping twist, Fubara reportedly prostrated before Wike, clasping his feet and calling him “My Oga” in what many are calling a symbolic surrender. Sources confirmed that the meeting occurred at Wike’s Abuja residence on Friday, April 18, and continued late into the night with the presence of Governor Dapo Abiodun and ex-Governor Olusegun Osoba acting as mediators.

This act of prostration—a gesture loaded with cultural significance—has been perceived as a desperate attempt by Fubara to reclaim political relevance amid growing isolation. Though the theatrics of the visit shocked political watchers, they also underscore the extent of Wike’s lingering influence, despite the national embarrassment the Rivers crisis has brought on the ruling party.

Tinubu’s Intervention: A Presidential State of Emergency and the Rewriting of Rivers Politics

President Tinubu’s controversial declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of elected officials—including Fubara—was a radical step aimed at preventing the total collapse of governance. Sources in the presidency revealed that the decision was made reluctantly but deemed necessary after both camps refused to compromise.

The state of emergency has since polarized the political class. Critics argue that it sets a dangerous precedent for federal interference in state matters, while loyalists hail Tinubu’s move as “rescue governance.” Fubara’s open gratitude to Tinubu reinforces the narrative that the President is now the de facto referee in Rivers’ intra-party warfare, holding the fragile peace by sheer force of will.

The Deafening Silence of Rivers Elders: Complicit or Powerless?

Fubara did not spare his home state in his revelations. “The place I call home never made a move,” he lamented—a pointed jab at Rivers elders and stakeholders who stayed on the sidelines throughout his ordeal. This silence, interpreted by many as cowardice or complicity, has ignited soul-searching within the state’s political elite.

Observers note that the absence of a unified front from Rivers stakeholders emboldened Wike and deepened Fubara’s vulnerability. With Rivers’ traditional power brokers now scrambling to realign their loyalties, the question remains: has Wike completely co-opted the political machinery, or are there still forces willing to counterbalance his grip?

PDP on the Brink: Internal Crisis Deepens as Defection Fears Rise

With Fubara inching closer to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and openly expressing his disillusionment with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the party’s internal cohesion in Rivers is rapidly deteriorating. Party insiders fear that his defection could trigger a mass exodus of loyalists who had stood by him during the crisis.

Sources within PDP’s National Working Committee revealed deep frustration with both Wike’s unrelenting defiance and Fubara’s wavering loyalty. There is mounting pressure for disciplinary action, but with both men holding significant leverage, the party’s leadership finds itself boxed in. The PDP risks hemorrhaging support not just in Rivers, but across the Niger Delta, if a clear path to reconciliation isn’t urgently mapped.

What Comes Next: Will Fubara Return Home a Hero or a Pawn?

Fubara has been tasked by Wike’s camp to return to Rivers and “explain the truth” to elders—a move that many suspect is designed to force him into a public admission of guilt. Whether he does so willingly or resists could determine the next phase of this high-stakes political chess game.

As 2027 approaches, political analysts are watching Rivers as the new battleground where personal loyalty trumps ideology. If Fubara defects to the APC and gains Tinubu’s full backing, he could reclaim his political future. But if he fails to walk the fine line between reconciliation and self-respect, he may go down in history as a governor sacrificed at the altar of ambition and betrayal.