PDP Reacts to Gov. Fubara’s Defection to APC, Says Move Is “Self-Inflicted Injury” and Threat to Democracy

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The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has described the defection of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as a “self-inflicted injury,” accusing him of willingly walking away from the party that defended him throughout his political crisis.

In a strongly worded statement signed by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, and dated December 9, 2025, the party said Governor Fubara’s move exemplifies the legal maxim volenti non fit injuria — “to one who is willing, no harm is done.”

According to the party, Nigerians who closely monitored the events leading to the defection would recall that Governor Fubara “willingly travelled the path” that ended in his exit from the PDP.

The statement argued that having made the decision voluntarily, the governor cannot accuse the party or any group of failing to protect him.

The PDP noted that although individuals under intense existential threats may suffer “temporary amnesia,” the governor should, at the very least, acknowledge the support he received from the party, civil society organisations and concerned Nigerians who stood by him since the political crisis in Rivers State began.

“It is our prayer that the Governor does not suffer from Stockholm Syndrome, where a victim falls in love with his captor,” the statement added.

Despite this, the party said it “pities the Governor and wishes him well.”

The PDP also used the opportunity to highlight what it described as the worsening state of Nigeria’s democracy. It argued that the Rivers crisis reflects a system where individuals are more powerful than institutions and can allegedly deploy federal might to crush political opponents.

The party warned that the ruling APC’s “unrelenting disposition towards attaining a one-party state” is shrinking the democratic space and posing a serious threat to political freedoms in the country.

It called on Nigerians and the international community to resist what it described as a slide toward “electoral authoritarianism.”

The statement reaffirmed the PDP’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy and urged citizens to unite against practices that undermine democratic norms.