APC Chairman Declares Fubara Party Leader in Rivers, Backs Him for Second Term Bid

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has declared Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, as the leader of the party in the state.

Yilwatda’s position comes amid renewed political tension between Governor Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over control of the party’s leadership structure in Rivers State.

Following his defection to the APC, Fubara had publicly described himself as the “001” of the party in the state, a claim that was swiftly rejected by Wike, who insisted that he remains in control of the political structure in Rivers.

Wike had also argued that both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state are working together to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

However, speaking during an interview on *Channels Television’s Hard Copy*, the APC National Chairman affirmed Fubara’s leadership status within the party, while stressing the need for inclusiveness.

“Governor Fubara is the leader of the APC in Rivers State, but he would need to coordinate with every other person in the state,” Yilwatda said.

He added that his support for any governorship candidate in Rivers State would be determined by the outcome of the party’s primaries.

“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,” he stated.