The President of the Ijaw Nation, Professor Benjamin Okaba, has said there is nothing unusual if Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara decides to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and join the All Progressives Congress (APC), especially if it helps settle the ongoing political tension in the state.
He made this known on Thursday while speaking on a television programme shortly after Governor Fubara met with President Bola Tinubu in Lagos.
The meeting has raised speculation that the governor might soon dump his party, the PDP, for the ruling APC.
According to Okaba, the Nigerian political space no longer runs on solid party ideologies, but on platforms that politicians often move in and out of.
He noted that some political figures change parties regularly without facing any serious consequences, making it a common pattern across the country.
Governor Fubara has repeatedly spoken about his desire to restore peace in Rivers State, a goal he says is more important than holding on to any political label.
Okaba said that if joining the APC will help Fubara achieve that peace, then it should not be seen as a problem.
The crisis in Rivers deepened earlier in the year when President Tinubu announced a state of emergency in the state on March 18.
He suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the state House of Assembly for six months.
Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas was then appointed as the state administrator to take charge during the suspension.
