APC in Rivers Affirms Fubara as Party Leader, Dismisses Leadership Dispute

|By Chinwendu Nwani

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, led by Emeka Bekee, has formally declared Governor Siminalayi Fubara as the leader of the party in the state, insisting that the party’s constitution leaves no room for ambiguity on the matter.

Bekee made the declaration on Wednesday during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show, amid heightened political tension involving the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

According to Bekee, the APC constitution clearly stipulates that once a sitting governor becomes a member of the party, leadership of the party at the state level automatically follows. He stressed that Governor Fubara’s recent alignment with the APC places him as the party’s foremost figure in Rivers State.

He explained that the APC operates a defined leadership hierarchy, with President Bola Tinubu as the national leader of the party, while governors who are party members serve as leaders in their respective states.

Bekee emphasized that Governor Fubara, by virtue of his membership, is the “number one” member of the APC in Rivers State, a position he said is not open to debate or contestation.

He further clarified that Minister Wike does not currently hold any leadership position within the APC, noting that the FCT Minister has repeatedly affirmed his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Bekee added that only party membership confers leadership status within the APC structure.

While acknowledging political engagements involving local government chairmen in the state, Bekee dismissed suggestions of internal rivalry, stating that such interactions do not alter the constitutional position of the governor as party leader.

He concluded by reiterating that the leadership of the APC in Rivers State rests squarely with Governor Fubara, insisting that the matter is settled by the party’s constitution and recognized by its national leadership.