The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has formally reacted to the defection of Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as a “pitiful” case of volenti non fit injuria a Latin legal maxim meaning “to one who is willing, no harm can be done.”
In a strongly worded statement issued Wednesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, the PDP’s National Working Committee said Governor Fubara voluntarily walked the path that led to his exit from the party and cannot now accuse the PDP of abandoning him.
“The Governor willingly travelled the road that brought him to this destination. Having done so voluntarily, he cannot turn around and blame our party or any individual for not protecting him,” the statement read.
The PDP expressed pity for Fubara, urging him not to develop “Stockholm Syndrome” where a victim begins to sympathise with his captor – while acknowledging the massive support the party, civil society, and ordinary Nigerians gave the governor throughout the political crisis orchestrated by his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
“From the very beginning of this crisis until the Governor capitulated, the PDP, civil society organisations, and millions of Nigerians stood firmly in his defence. He owes nothing less than gratitude to all those who defended him,” the party stated.
The opposition party further described the Rivers crisis as a stark illustration of Nigeria’s “dysfunctional democracy,” where powerful individuals wield federal might to suffocate political opponents and force them into submission.
“This is a classic case of individuals being bigger than institutions, using the apparatus of the Federal Government to choke the political life out of opponents and bring them to their knees,” the PDP lamented.
In a dire warning, the party accused the APC of pursuing a deliberate agenda to establish a one-party state and shrink Nigeria’s democratic space.
“With the unrelenting disposition of the ruling party towards achieving a one-party state and the systematic constriction of the political space, democracy is under severe attack in Nigeria.
All well-meaning Nigerians and the international community must rise together to oppose this dangerous slide into electoral authoritarianism,” the statement concluded.
Governor Fubara’s defection, which was formally announced Tuesday night at a heavily policed stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt, marks the latest dramatic twist in the prolonged Rivers political crisis and delivers a major blow to the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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