The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reacted to the defection of the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, describing it as a “self-inflicted injury” and insisting that the governor willingly charted the path that led to his exit from the party.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP said the governor’s move to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) reflects the legal maxim volenti non fit injuria “to one who is willing, no harm is done.”
The party noted that those who closely followed the crisis in Rivers State would recall that Governor Fubara “willingly travelled the path that took him to this destination,” adding that he cannot now accuse the PDP or any individual of failing to protect him.
According to the statement, the PDP, civil society organisations, and Nigerians at large stood firmly behind the governor throughout the political turmoil until he “capitulated.”
The party expressed hope that the governor will not fall victim to “Stockholm Syndrome, where a victim falls in love with his captor,” but nevertheless wished him well.
The PDP further described the political situation in Rivers State as a stark reminder of the “dysfunctional nature” of Nigeria’s democracy, where powerful individuals can deploy federal resources to suppress opponents.
The party warned that such actions pose a severe threat to democratic norms and called for collective resistance.
“In the face of the ruling party’s unrelenting drive toward a one-party state and the shrinking of the political space, democracy is under severe attack in Nigeria,” the statement added, urging citizens and the international community to unite against what it termed “an ignoble trip toward electoral authoritarianism.”
