Rivers APC declares Fubara party leader amid tensions

The Emeka Bekee-led faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has declared Governor Siminalayi Fubara as the leader of the party in the state, insisting that the position is clearly provided for in the party’s constitution.

Bekee made the assertion on Wednesday while speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show, against the backdrop of ongoing political tensions involving the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

According to him, any sitting governor who joins the APC automatically becomes the leader of the party in his or her state, stressing that the provision is not open to debate.

Bekee said Governor Fubara, having joined the APC, is the party’s number one member in Rivers State.

He explained that the APC operates a clear leadership hierarchy, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the national leader of the party and governors who are party members serving as leaders at the state level.

“According to the constitution of the APC, when a sitting governor is a member of the party, he or she automatically becomes the leader of the party in the state. There is no contesting the fact that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is the current leader of the APC in Rivers State,” he said.

Bekee added that while the FCT minister remains influential, he is not a member of the APC and therefore cannot be regarded as a party leader in Rivers State.

“If by the grace of God the Minister of the FCT decides to join the APC, he will become a leader in his own capacity as a member of the party. But right now, he is not a member of the APC. He has said it clearly that he remains a member of the PDP,” he stated.

Commenting on recent political engagements in the state, Bekee said he was not privy to discussions held in Abuja involving party stakeholders but noted that there was nothing wrong if Wike chose to visit local government chairmen he had worked with in the past.

He, however, maintained that the fundamental issue remained clear.

“The true position is that the Governor of Rivers State is the leader of the party in Rivers State. Nobody is contesting that,” Bekee said.