𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: 𝐏𝐃𝐏 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐬 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐨𝐯. 𝐅𝐮𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐚’𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐬

 A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Umar Sani, has provided clarity on why Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, did not attend the party’s national convention held over the weekend.

Speaking during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Monday, Sani maintained that Governor Fubara remains a full member of the PDP despite the ongoing political challenges in Rivers State. He stated clearly that the party still recognises Fubara as a PDP governor until he personally announces otherwise.

According to him, this is why Fubara’s photograph was included in the official programme booklet distributed at the convention.

Sani drew a sharp contrast between Fubara and the Governor of Taraba State, who openly declared his intention to defect to the All Progressives Congress. He said that public declaration made his status clear, while Fubara has made no such move.

Sani said that many of the political obstacles facing Fubara may have influenced his decision to stay away from the convention, but his membership in the PDP has not been revoked.

In his words, “He has not come out publicly to say he is no longer a member of the PDP and that is why his picture appeared in the programme of activities at the convention. He is still a member unless he says otherwise.”

Addressing concerns that the party leadership should have reached out to Fubara directly before the event, Sani clarified that the convention was open to all members and attendance was voluntary.

He explained that invitations were general and not personalised and that no special protocol required the party to contact him one on one.

He said, “The invitation is open to every member of the party. You are invited to come or at liberty not to come. So we did not have to call him or do anything beyond sending the invitation.”

Sani’s comments come at a time of mounting tension in Rivers State and growing questions about the governor’s political direction. His clarification suggests that the PDP is still holding the door open for Fubara despite the internal crisis currently shaking the state.

With political tensions still high in Rivers State and nationwide interest in the PDP’s internal reorganisation, attention is now focused on whether Governor Fubara will publicly reaffirm or renounce his membership. For now, the PDP insists he remains one of their own, and his absence from the convention changes nothing unless he chooses to speak otherwise.