BREAKING: APC National Chairman Declares Fubara Rivers Leader, Sets Condition for Supporting Governor’s Second-Term Bid

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, has formally declared Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, as the leader of the ruling party in the oil-rich state, a pronouncement that has added a new twist to the intense political rivalry currently reshaping Rivers politics.

 

Yilwatda’s declaration comes at a time of renewed hostilities between Governor Fubara and his estranged political ally, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who remains one of the most influential political figures in Rivers State. The feud, which has dominated the state’s political landscape for months, centres on the struggle for control of party structures, loyalty of key political actors, and the broader question of who truly commands Rivers politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Hard Copy, the APC national chairman sought to clarify the party’s position following Governor Fubara’s recent defection to the APC and his subsequent claim of being the “001” — a term commonly used to denote the undisputed leader of a party in a state.

 

“Governor Fubara is the leader of the APC in Rivers State,” Yilwatda stated. However, he was quick to add a significant caveat. “He would need to coordinate with every other person in the state.”

 

The comment appears to strike a delicate balance between recognising Fubara’s constitutional authority as a sitting governor and acknowledging the complex political realities in Rivers State, where entrenched interests and long-standing political structures continue to wield considerable influence.

 

Background to the Power Struggle

 

Governor Fubara’s political journey has been anything but smooth since he assumed office. Initially backed by Wike, his predecessor and former political benefactor, Fubara soon found himself at odds with the powerful minister over governance style, control of party machinery, and influence over the Rivers State House of Assembly.

 

The crisis deepened when factions emerged within the legislature, leading to impeachment threats, court battles, and a prolonged period of political uncertainty in the state. While the situation has witnessed moments of uneasy calm, tensions between the two camps have never fully abated.

 

Fubara’s decision to defect to the APC was widely seen as a strategic move aimed at consolidating his political base and aligning himself with the party controlling the federal government. Following his defection, the governor boldly declared himself the “001 of APC in Rivers,” a statement that immediately sparked reactions across political circles.

 

Wike, however, was quick to dismiss the claim. The FCT minister argued that political leadership in Rivers could not be determined by office alone, insisting that he still controls the political structure in the state. He further pointed to the alliance between the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers, forged to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, as evidence of his continued relevance and influence.

 

APC Chairman’s Clarification

 

Against this backdrop, Yilwatda’s intervention appears designed to prevent an escalation of internal conflicts within the APC while reinforcing the party’s commitment to internal democracy.

 

In his words, the APC chairman made it clear that party leadership at the national level would not impose candidates on Rivers State. “I don’t choose who to support in the state’s primary election,” he said.

 

Yilwatda laid down a straightforward condition for supporting Governor Fubara’s second-term ambition: victory at the party’s primaries.

 

“If Fubara emerges as the APC candidate, I’ll support him,” he stated. “If he loses the primary, I’ll sympathise with him and go with the person who wins the primary election.”

 

This statement underscores the APC’s official stance that primaries, rather than personal influence or political status, will determine who carries the party’s flag in future elections.

 

Implications for Rivers Politics

 

Yilwatda’s remarks have significant implications for the evolving political dynamics in Rivers State. By recognising Fubara as the APC leader in the state, the party’s national leadership has effectively endorsed his current political standing, at least symbolically. However, the emphasis on coordination suggests that the governor’s authority within the party is neither absolute nor uncontested.

 

Political analysts believe the APC chairman’s careful wording reflects an attempt to avoid alienating other influential figures in Rivers politics, including those loyal to Wike. Given Wike’s longstanding role in shaping political outcomes in the state, sidelining his supporters could risk internal fractures that might weaken the party’s electoral prospects.

 

At the same time, the insistence on primaries as the determining factor for candidacy sends a message to all aspirants that no one, not even a sitting governor, is guaranteed automatic endorsement.

 

Reactions and Expectations

 

Within Rivers State, reactions to Yilwatda’s comments have been mixed. Supporters of Governor Fubara view the declaration as a major boost to his political legitimacy within the APC, arguing that recognition by the national chairman strengthens his hand in ongoing power struggles.

 

On the other hand, allies of Wike have interpreted the comments as a diplomatic move rather than an outright rejection of the former governor’s influence. They point to Yilwatda’s emphasis on coordination and internal democracy as evidence that the APC leadership is keen to accommodate all factions.

 

For ordinary party members and residents of Rivers State, the development raises expectations of a more structured and transparent political process ahead of the next election cycle. Many hope that a clear commitment to democratic primaries will reduce tensions and refocus attention on governance and development.

 

Looking Ahead

 

As the countdown to the 2027 general elections begins, Rivers State is poised to remain a key battleground in Nigeria’s political landscape. The state’s strategic importance, economic significance, and history of intense political competition ensure that every major decision reverberates beyond its borders.

 

Yilwatda’s declaration and conditions for supporting Governor Fubara’s second-term bid have set the tone for what lies ahead: a contest that will likely test the strength of party structures, the resilience of political alliances, and the APC’s ability to manage internal diversity without descending into crisis.

 

For Governor Fubara, the message is clear. While he may be recognised as the leader of the APC in Rivers State, his political future within the party will ultimately depend on his ability to build consensus, navigate entrenched interests, and win the confidence of party members at the primaries. Whether he can achieve this amid lingering tensions with Wike and his loyalists remains one of the most closely watched political questions in Rivers State today.