Top leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have declared support for Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, ahead of the 2027 governorship election, amid a deepening political rift between him and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The National Secretary of the APC, Ajibola Basiru, said the party was fully backing Fubara for a second term, describing him as a performing governor.
“Nobody can frustrate any APC governor. Fubara, like other APC governors, is running the affairs of his state well,” Basiru said.
Fubara formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling APC on December 9, a move widely viewed as part of his second-term strategy. His defection was followed by that of 17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Subsequently, the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, declared Fubara the leader of the party in Rivers State. Speaking on Channels Television’s Hard Copy programme, Yilwatda said the governor would, however, need to work with other stakeholders in the state.
“Governor Fubara is the leader of the APC in Rivers State, but he would need to coordinate with every other person in the state,” he said.
Renewed Rift With Wike
Fubara’s defection has further strained his relationship with Wike, who has publicly insisted that the governor’s second-term ambition is not guaranteed under the APC.
The FCT minister accused Fubara of violating a peace agreement between them and warned against what he described as “opportunistic politics.” Speaking during his monthly media chat, Wike maintained that defecting to the APC did not automatically confer party leadership on the governor.
He also claimed that he remained the dominant political force in Rivers State, asserting that his supporters controlled local government and ward structures across the state.
In an apparent response, Fubara said he had been subjected to blackmail in several quarters but remained focused on his political path.
“The only reason the dog barks is when it doesn’t understand. We know where we are going and have put everything in place to make the journey smooth,” the governor said at a public event aired by Arise Television.
APC Officials Push Back
A national APC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, dismissed Wike’s claim of political dominance, insisting that the former Rivers governor could not determine Fubara’s fate.
“Ultimately, the decision on Rivers will be that of the President, not Wike,” the official said, adding that party rules favour sitting governors seeking re-election.
The official noted that while the APC does not impose candidates, incumbents generally enjoy an advantage.
“The dynamics are always in favour of a sitting governor, unless critical stakeholders at the national level decide otherwise,” he said.
Basiru, speaking separately, reiterated that the party was duty-bound to support its governors, stressing that internal disagreements should not undermine respect for elected officials.
He also criticised remarks attributed to the APC’s National Vice Chairman (South-South), Victor Giadom, describing them as unbecoming.
“No matter the differences, an elected governor must be respected. Referring to a sitting governor as a ‘so-called governor’ is unacceptable,” Basiru said.
Similarly, the Deputy National Organising Secretary of the APC, Duru Eze, said Fubara and other governors enjoyed the backing of President Bola Tinubu, the National Working Committee (NWC) and the National Executive Committee (NEC).
“The leader of the party is President Tinubu. Governors who have joined the APC have received his endorsement and that of the party,” Eze said.
The party’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, also assured that Fubara would receive full party support.
Rivers APC, Elders Speak
The Rivers State APC Publicity Secretary, Chibike Ikenga, said only the President and the national leadership of the party could determine Fubara’s political future.
“We allowed him to join the party at the highest level. Once directives come from there, we will act,” Ikenga said, dismissing suggestions that Wike could influence the party’s governorship ticket.
Rivers elders also weighed in, warning Wike against attempting to dictate the state’s political future.
A member of the Elders and Leaders Council, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, said the final decision rested with the electorate, not any individual.
“The minister can try his best, but it is the people who will decide,” he said.
Another elder, Chief Asukewe Iko-Awaji, dismissed Wike’s claims, warning against imposing candidates on the state.
Wike Vows to Block Re-election
Despite the mounting support for Fubara within the APC, Wike has remained defiant.
Addressing supporters during a visit to Okrika Local Government Area on Saturday, the FCT minister described the emergence of Fubara as a political “mistake” that must not be repeated.
Although he did not mention the governor by name, Wike warned that defection to the APC would not guarantee an automatic ticket.
“The mistake we made in 2023, we will correct it. If we make another mistake, then bury yourself politically,” he said, vowing to resist any attempt to secure a second term for the governor.
