Presidency Backs Fubara Over APC Leadership In Rivers State
•By Admin
ABUJA – THE Presidency has thrown its weight on the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, saying his leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, remains sacrosanct. It also clarified that former governor Nyesom Wike is not a member of the ruling party.
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, made the clarification during an appearance on Channels Television’s Hard Copy programme.
His comments came amidst rising tension in Rivers State, including moves by members of the State Assembly to begin impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara.
Bwala insisted that the position of the APC leadership on the matter is clear. “I agree with the point highlighted by the national chairman [Nentawe Yilwatda] that in Rivers State, Governor Fubara is the leader of the APC in Rivers State.
Wike is not a member of APC, so he cannot speak for the APC,” he said. According to the presidential aide, Wike may still have influence within the Peoples Democratic Party in the state but has no authority in the APC.
“He may be the leader of the PDP in Rivers State because he was a former governor and they do not have a governor at the moment, but in APC, the leader of the party in Rivers State is Governor Fubara,” Bwala stated.
He noted that President Tinubu respects party rules and supports the stand of the APC leadership.
“The President believes in the rule of law and rule-based practice. With respect to party affairs, what the national chairman said is the position the President sticks to because he respects party procedure,” he said.
Reacting to the impeachment moves against Fubara, Bwala said court orders have already stopped the process. “There have been orders of court that stopped impeachment.
The party is clear. Nobody should stop Fubara from governing the state,” he said. He further explained that Wike’s role as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory should not be confused with party membership.
“The President believes in compensating people, but not at the expense of the interest of Nigeria. He will give you latitude and privilege, but not at the expense of what is right,” he said.
Recall that Governor Fubara defected to the APC in December 2025 after he paid a visit to President Tinubu in Aso Rock to seal the defection.