Wike vs Fubara feud; APC National Chairman reveals Party Leader in Rivers State

Wike vs Fubara feud; APC National Chairman reveals Party Leader in Rivers State

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has recognised Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara, as the party’s leader in the state, amid an escalating leadership tussle within the APC in Rivers.

Yilwatda’s declaration comes against the backdrop of renewed political tension between Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over control of the party’s structure in the state.

After defecting to the APC, Fubara had publicly described himself as the party’s number one figure in Rivers State, a claim that was swiftly rejected by Wike.

The FCT minister insisted that he remains in charge of the political machinery in the state, arguing that the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party are aligned in support of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

However, the APC national leadership appears to have backed the governor’s position. Speaking on the matter, Yilwatda affirmed Fubara’s status as the party leader in Rivers State and indicated that the APC would stand behind him politically.

The party chairman further stated that Fubara would enjoy his full support for a second term in office, provided he emerges as the APC candidate through the party’s primary election process.

In an interview on Channels Television’s Hard Copy, Yilwatda said: “Governor Fubara is the leader of the APC in Rivers State, but he would need to coordinate with every other person in the state.

“I don’t choose who to support in the state’s primary election. If Fubara emerges as the APC candidate, I’ll support him.

“If he loses the primary, I’ll sympathise with him and go with the person who wins the primary election.”