PDP Brands Fubara’s Move to APC as “Pitiful” and Warns of Threat to Nigerian Democracy

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has publicly condemned the defection of Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), calling the move “pitiful” and attributing it to Fubara’s own political choices. The PDP argues the defection reflects a deepening crisis in Nigeria’s democracy — one where powerful individuals allegedly override institutional norms, using federal influence to suppress opposition.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, on Tuesday, the PDP highlighted that Fubara’s decision to abandon the party was self-inflicted and cautioned against what it termed a dangerous trend toward one-party dominance under APC.

PDP’s Scathing Reaction: Defection as Self-Inflicted Choice

The PDP’s response to Fubara’s defection was swift and unambiguous. In its statement, the party invoked the old legal maxim volenti non fit injuria — “to one who is willing, no harm is done” — arguing that Fubara voluntarily took the path leading to his present predicament. The PDP insisted that he cannot now cast blame on the party, or any individual or group, for abandoning or failing to protect him.

Further, the PDP warned against what it described as a psychological phenomenon akin to “Stockholm Syndrome,” where a victim becomes attached to his captor — in this case, suggesting Fubara may be aligning himself emotionally with those he perceives as having rescued or protected him.

Despite its forceful criticism, the PDP added that it “pities” the governor and wished him well, framing the defection as a regrettable but avoidable step.

Democracy at Stake: PDP Warns Against Encroaching One-Party Rule

Beyond the personal dimension, the PDP used the moment to sound a broader alarm about the state of democracy in Nigeria. According to Ememobong, the circumstances surrounding Fubara’s defection and the wider political realignment in Rivers State demonstrate that “individuals are bigger and stronger than institutions” — a situation that undermines democratic norms and the independence of arms of government.

The party argued that the ruling APC is gradually suffocating political pluralism, shrinking the political space, and steering the country toward a one-party system. It called on Nigerians and the global community to resist what it described as “a progressive decline of democratic norms.”

In light of prior defections from state lawmakers, the PDP stressed that such recurrent shifts threaten not only individual mandates but also institutional integrity and the principle of representation.

Political Implications: What Fubara’s Defection Means for Rivers and Nigeria

Governor Fubara’s defection came after a high-profile meeting with Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Monday, and was formally announced during a stakeholders’ gathering in Port Harcourt on Tuesday. He explained that the move was motivated by a desire to fully align with the President and to gain the political support and stability his administration needs — a justification echoed by the APC lawmakers who recently switched allegiance.

The defection is expected to significantly reshape the political landscape in Rivers State, especially in the run-up to future elections. It deepens the challenge for the PDP to maintain its relevance in a region where key figures are abandoning ship, while giving the APC a stronger foothold.

For the broader national context, the episode raises urgent questions about the resilience of Nigeria’s democratic institutions. If parties and elected officials continue to migrate based on expediency or perceived security rather than ideology or commitment to constituents, the integrity of political competition — and the trust of the electorate — could suffer further erosion.