The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expressed dismay over the defection of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to the ruling All Progressive Congress party, (APC), describing the move as both “pitiful” and “self-inflicted.”

In a statement signed by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong on Tuesday, the party said the governor’s departure did not come as a surprise to those who had closely followed the series of political events that preceded it.

According to the PDP, Governor Fubara “willingly travelled the path” that ultimately led to his exit and therefore cannot accuse the party—or any group—of failing to protect him.

The statement suggested that the governor’s political challenges may have caused what it termed “temporary amnesia,” but stressed that PDP members, civil society groups, and Nigerians at large had consistently supported him throughout the crisis.

The party added that it hopes the governor does not fall into “Stockholm Syndrome” by aligning too closely with those it views as his political adversaries.

The statement argued that the political turmoil in Rivers State highlights the weakness of national institutions and the growing influence of powerful individuals who can, in the party’s words, “use the apparatus of the Federal Government to suffocate their opponents.”

The party warned that the ruling party’s alleged drive toward a one-party system poses a significant threat to Nigeria’s democratic future. It called on Nigerians and the international community to take note of what it described as an ongoing constriction of the political space and a slide toward “electoral authoritarianism.”