The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has responded to the Presidency’s recent position on the political tension between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The reaction followed a clarification from the Presidency, delivered through the President’s Special Adviser on Policy and Communication, Daniel Bwala, who stated that Governor Fubara remains the leader of the party in Rivers State and should be allowed to perform his duties without interference. The clarification was made during a television interview in Abuja.
While acknowledging the role played by Wike in the current administration, the Presidency also noted that the FCT minister is not a member of the APC, stressing that party leadership at the state level rests with the elected governor.
In a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Darlington Nwauju, the Rivers APC welcomed the position of President Bola Tinubu, describing it as consistent with the party’s constitution and internal structure. The party said the clarification supported its long-held view that the governor should lead the party in the state.
The Rivers APC praised the President for following party guidelines that place elected APC governors as heads of the party in their states, noting that this approach helps coordination and unity within the party.
The party also criticised comments earlier made by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, concerning impeachment discussions involving Governor Fubara and his deputy. According to the Rivers APC, such views do not align with party values, and it urged the national leadership to take note.
In addition, the party called on the APC National Working Committee to act on existing court rulings related to the Rivers APC leadership. It requested that fresh congresses be organised at ward, local government and state levels to resolve internal disputes.
The Rivers APC further appealed to Governor Fubara, as the party leader in the state, to convene a stakeholders’ meeting to chart a clear path for the party’s future in Rivers State.