As political tensions between Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State, and Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, grow, top leaders of the All Progressives Congress have thrown their support behind Fubara.
Ajibola Basiru, the APC’s national secretary, affirmed the party’s support for Fubara’s administration and second-term candidacy.
“No APC governor can be irritated.” Like other APC governors, Fubara is managing his state’s business effectively, Basiru told Sunday PUNCH.
Recall that on December 9, 2025, Fubara formally moved from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, which many believe was a calculated ploy to win reelection.
His political base inside the party was further strengthened after 17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly defected to the APC in response to his conversion.
APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda praised Fubara as the party’s leader in Rivers State, bolstering party support.
During a Friday interview on Channels Television’s “Hard Copy” program, Yilwatda stated, “Governor Fubara is the leader of the APC in Rivers State, but he would need to coordinate with every other person in the state.”
But the governor’s ascent inside the APC has exacerbated his conflict with Wike, who maintains that Fubara’s second term is doubtful.
Wike warned against “opportunistic politics” and accused the governor of breaking their peace treaty.
The FCT minister stated, “Fubara’s defection to the APC does not make him the party leader in Rivers,” during his monthly press conference. I am still the state’s political leader. Local administrations and ward structures are still under the authority of our supporters.
In an oblique response, Fubara claimed to have been the victim of blackmail at a public event that was broadcast on Arise TV.
The dog only barks when it is unable to comprehend. We have everything lined up to ensure a smooth travel, and we know where we’re headed,” he said.
Party Insiders Reject Wike’s Allegations
Wike lacks the power to determine Fubara’s political future, an unknown APC national officer informed Sunday Punch.
He refuted Wike’s assertion of political supremacy in Rivers, stating that the FCT minister’s assertion that he has control over Rivers State is untrue.
“Wike is just unnecessarily aggravating himself because the President, not him, will ultimately make the choice over Rivers. Wike is not as well-liked as he claims to be. In the most recent election, he lost his polling place to the Labour Party. He is only fortunate that the President felt he (Wike) was helpful in dealing with the opposition. Winning Rivers State was difficult.
“Fubara is an APC governor, and the party consistently receives significant support from the APC Governors’ Forum.” We will respect the governors and provide them with the support they require in accordance with our party’s norms,” he declared.
In response to a question on whether the APC would automatically grant Fubara a second term, the official stated that the party would not force candidates.
But any governor running for reelection would have a better chance than new candidates, the national officer clarified.
“When a current governor runs as an incumbent, the dynamics are always in their favor. Unless important national stakeholders think differently, it is a simple political issue. The chances of an incumbent governor being challenged are higher than those of newcomers.
In Rivers’ opinion, the state is essentially turning into an APC one-party state. Some individuals bought forms to run for governor even in Ekiti State, but some of them were not properly nominated. The governor was chosen as a consensus choice after the others who made it through resigned, he continued.
Basiru told Punch that the party supported Fubara in his remarks on the subject.
He pointed out that the APC’s National Working Committee was tasked with uniting the governors and fortifying the party’s national organization.
“He is managing the government, constructing projects, and commissioning projects,” he stated. The party must identify with him because he is one of our party’s members. We can relate to him because of this. I therefore don’t want to get involved in any other politics.
What I am aware of is that he is a governor on our party’s platform and that President Bola Tinubu has nominated him to serve on a crucial committee. Not everyone will be pleased with you, just as in any given situation, but it doesn’t matter. God is the source of authority, and the people will decide where they choose to go when the time is right.
However, it is still our responsibility as a party to support every governor. I will always be able to relate to and support every member of our party. Every event and program that my party participates in, I go to. I will undoubtedly support and bolster our party.
Basiru warned APC officials not to disparage any of the party’s governors in response to comments made by Victor Giadom, the National Vice Chairman of the APC, South-South Zone.
“I find it regrettable that a governor in our party was referred to as a “so-called governor of Rivers State” by a NWC member who is the Vice Chairman of the APC’s South-South zone. It is inappropriate for someone in such a delicate position, regardless of who he is loyal to, and no one should support it.
“You cannot call an elected governor a “so-called governor” in order to appease anyone, even if the governor does not belong to our party. Regardless of political disagreements or enmity, the governor’s office is an exalted position, and whoever holds it must be respected,” he stated.
Similarly, Fubara and other governors have the support of the President, the APC NWC, and the National Executive Committee, according to APC Deputy National Organizing Secretary Duru Eze.
Additionally, he confirmed that Fubara and the others will have the same rights and benefits as every member of the party.
“President Bola Tinubu is the party’s leader. Before joining the party, all of the governors signed our manifesto and the APC’s constitution.
Additionally, they enjoy the support of the President, and consequently, the party’s NEC and NWC. Thus, Fubara, other governors, and others will have all the help they need to be successful,” he continued.
Additionally, Bala Ibrahim, the party’s director of publicity, stated that Fubara will benefit from the party’s backing.
All governors, not just Fubara, are joining the APC as a result of President Bola Tinubu’s accomplishments with the Renewed Hope Agenda. They back both the party and the president.
“Because they are now a part of the progressives working for Nigeria’s development, they will enjoy all the necessary support at all levels,” he said.
