HON. USMAN BUHARI ALI GWANDU TACKLES GOVERNOR FUBARA'S CRITIC, MAJEED DAHIRU* Hon. Usman Buhari Ali Gwa
Hon. Usman Buhari Ali Gwa
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ndu, Ph.D, a Kebbi State-born politician and National Convener of the Leadership Awareness & Transparency Network (LATNET), has strongly defended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara against recent criticisms by political analyst Dr. Majeed Dahiru.
In a statement released through LATNET, Hon. Gwandu described Dahiru's critique—aired on Channels TV—as "fundamentally flawed, misleading, and ignorant of the unique realities in Rivers State's political landscape." Dahiru had faulted Fubara for not attracting a large number of supporters during his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), contrasting it with the experiences of Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf and Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri.
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Hon. Gwandu emphasized that Fubara's defection, announced on December 9, 2025, at the Government House in Port Harcourt, was a collective decision involving those who had "followed and suffered" with him. The governor explicitly stated during the event: "Everyone here who had followed me, who had suffered with me, our decision today, this evening, we are moving to the APC." This group-oriented approach came amid a prolonged political crisis in Rivers State, marked by impeachment attempts, defections among loyalists in the state assembly, and federal interventions, which necessitated a cautious and strategic move rather than a dramatic mass exodus.
Highlighting contextual differences, Hon. Gwandu noted that Abba Yusuf's shift from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the APC in late January 2026 involved significant figures, including most commissioners and all 44 local government chairpersons, as well as multiple assembly members. However, this occurred to resolve internal NNPP crises and secure governance continuity with the federal ruling party—not under the same existential threats Fubara faced from entrenched opposition forces in Rivers.
Similarly, Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri's defection from the PDP to the APC—announced in October 2025 and formalized on November 3, 2025—involved personal conviction and federal alignment, but did not produce the sweeping cabinet or establishment exodus Dahiru suggested. Reports indicate limited immediate followership in certain quarters, including the deputy governor reportedly declining to join, rendering Dahiru's claims of a "chunk" of the cabinet exaggerated.
Hon. Gwandu dismissed Dahiru's direct challenge questioning who Fubara had brought into the APC since his defection as premature. As of early February 2026, Fubara's formal reception into the APC has faced delays, partly due to party priorities such as Ramadan observances for northern defectors. Yet, prior to and following the announcement, broader realignments occurred in Rivers, including defections by lawmakers and stakeholders aligning with the governor's position. Subsequent events saw Fubara welcoming defecting National Assembly members from Rivers into the APC, further underscoring ongoing influence and stability efforts.
The LATNET convener argued that effective leadership does not always demand "extraordinary" mobilization displays, echoing Dahiru's own "hood does not make the monk" analogy while accusing him of applying a double standard. In Rivers' polarized environment, Fubara's approach has prioritized securing federal backing, stabilizing governance amid crises, and building long-term positioning ahead of 2027—rather than risky, optics-driven mass defections that could further fracture his base.
Hon. Gwandu concluded that Dahiru's commentary appears politically motivated, cherry-picking examples to undermine Fubara while ignoring the governor's unique pressures and pragmatic, inclusive realignment strategy. He described Fubara's defection as reflective of tailored, capable leadership suited to Rivers' realities, rendering suggestions of lacking political pull "overstated, unsubstantiated, and ultimately unconvincing.
Hon.. Usman Buhari Ali Gwandu, Ph.D., who has consistently supported Governor Fubara throughout his challenges, issued the statement as National Convener of LATNET. He can be reached at latnetnigeria@gmail.com or 08067831800.
