|By Adejumo Adekunle
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has welcomed the Presidency’s clarification on the lingering political tension between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, describing it as a firm affirmation of party order and constitutional discipline.
The Presidency, on Thursday, declared Governor Fubara as the leader of the APC in Rivers State, stressing that he must be allowed to discharge his duties without interference. The position was conveyed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy and Communication, Daniel Bwala, during his appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
Bwala said President Tinubu fully supports Governor Fubara, noting that while Wike remains instrumental to the Tinubu administration, he is not a member of the APC and, therefore, does not control the party’s structure in Rivers State. He emphasized that democratic governance requires that the elected governor be given the space to lead.
Reacting, the Rivers APC, through its Publicity Secretary, Darlington Nwauju, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for upholding the party’s constitution and convention by reaffirming Fubara’s position as the party leader in the state.
According to the party, the presidential clarification vindicates its long-held stance and aligns with the policy direction of the APC’s national leadership under Professor Nentawe Yilwatda and Senator Ajibola Basiru. The party commended the President for adhering to party management principles that empower APC governors to lead party affairs at the state level to foster cohesion, mobilisation and efficiency.
The Rivers APC said the clarification should put an end to what it described as false and misleading narratives being promoted by “political jobbers” regarding the leadership of the party in the state.
The party also condemned comments credited to the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, on the impeachment process involving Governor Fubara and his deputy, arguing that such opinions contradict the core values of party membership. It urged Morka to demonstrate democratic accountability by stepping aside, accusing him of failing to protect the party’s organisational objectives.
Additionally, the Rivers APC reminded the National Working Committee of existing court judgments on the leadership of the party in the state, citing Suit No. PHC/3592/CS/2023 and Suit No. PHC/3859/CS/2024. It called for the immediate scheduling of congresses at the ward, local government and state levels to resolve internal disputes and harmonise interests.
The party concluded by urging Governor Fubara, in his capacity as leader of the APC in Rivers State, to convene an urgent stakeholders’ meeting to chart a clear direction for the party going forward.
