The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has welcomed the presidency’s position on the ongoing political rift involving Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, describing it as timely and clarifying.
The party’s reaction followed comments by President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy and Communication, Daniel Bwala, who publicly affirmed that Governor Fubara remains the leader of the party in Rivers State. Bwala also acknowledged Wike’s contributions to the Tinubu administration but clarified that the former Rivers governor is not a member of the APC.
According to Bwala, while Wike has played an important role at the federal level, the structure and leadership of the APC in Rivers State remain under the authority of the elected governor. He added that Fubara should be allowed the necessary space to govern the state without undue interference.
Reacting to the clarification, the Rivers APC expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for what it described as adherence to the party’s constitution and established conventions. The party said the president’s position reinforces the principle that APC governors serve as leaders of the party in their respective states.
In a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Darlington Nwauju, the Rivers APC said the reaffirmation from the presidency validates its long-held stance on the leadership structure within the party in the state. The party noted that the clarification aligns with the direction of the national leadership of the APC.
The statement emphasized that the party’s constitution supports a model in which governors lead the party at the state level to promote unity, coordination, and effective mobilization. According to the Rivers APC, the president’s intervention strengthens internal party management and helps address confusion created by competing political narratives.
The party further stated that the clarification should put to rest what it described as false or misleading claims about who leads the APC in Rivers State. It argued that recognizing Fubara as party leader is consistent with both party tradition and democratic practice.
The Rivers APC also used the opportunity to criticize comments previously made by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, regarding the impeachment process involving Governor Fubara and his deputy. The party said Morka’s views did not reflect the official position of the party and were contrary to its core principles.
According to the statement, the Rivers APC believes such opinions undermine party cohesion and do not serve the interests of its members in the state. The party called on Morka to demonstrate democratic responsibility, suggesting that his comments fell short of the expectations of his role as the party’s spokesperson.
In addition, the Rivers APC reminded the national leadership of the party of existing court rulings relating to the leadership structure of the APC in Rivers State. The party referenced ongoing legal matters and emphasized the importance of respecting judicial decisions in resolving internal disputes.
The party appealed to the National Working Committee to urgently schedule congresses at the ward, local government, and state levels. It said such congresses would help harmonize differing interests and provide a clearer leadership framework for the party in Rivers State.
The statement also called on Governor Fubara, in his capacity as governor and party leader, to convene a stakeholders’ meeting. The Rivers APC said such a meeting would help chart a unified direction for the party and strengthen its internal cohesion ahead of future political activities.
Overall, the Rivers APC maintained that the presidency’s position has helped to clarify the party’s leadership structure in the state. The party expressed confidence that adherence to constitutional processes and dialogue would help stabilize the APC in Rivers State and correct misconceptions surrounding the ongoing political disagreements.
