Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Monday held a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, as political tensions continue to rise in his home state.
The governor, dressed in a deep-blue long-sleeve shirt, black trousers, and a black flat cap, was seen heading toward the President’s office at about 5:01 p.m. Minutes earlier, Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru had also arrived for a separate engagement.
Details of the discussions held with the President were not disclosed at the time of filing this report.
Fubara’s visit comes against the backdrop of growing speculation that he may be considering a defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress following fresh turmoil in Rivers State politics.
On December 5, seventeen lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, defected from the PDP to the APC under the leadership of Speaker Martin Amaewhule. Their move dramatically altered the political equation in the state assembly.
Meanwhile, the three lawmakers believed to be aligned with Fubara have not returned to plenary since the lifting of the six-month emergency rule on September 18, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the governor’s political standing.
Fubara had earlier returned to office after the emergency rule imposed by President Tinubu on March 18 was lifted.
Governor Nwifuru, who also visited the Villa, has in recent months engaged the Presidency on issues relating to infrastructure development and security coordination in the South-East.
