A rift has emerged within the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) following public disagreement over comments made about Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The conflict has highlighted divisions among senior party officials in the South-South region.
The controversy began when Hon. Victor Giadom, the APC’s South-South National Vice Chairman, referred to Fubara as a “so-called governor of Rivers State” during a recent event in Gokana Local Government Area. The comments were made during a thank-you visit by Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and quickly drew criticism from other party leaders.
APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru publicly condemned Giadom’s remarks on Sunday via his verified Facebook account, calling the language disrespectful both to the office of a state governor and the party itself. Basiru emphasized that political differences should never undermine respect for elected officials.
“No matter the allegiances or differences involved, it is inappropriate for anyone in such a sensitive role to use language that diminishes an elected official,” Basiru wrote. He further stressed that derogatory references toward a governor, even from another party, are unacceptable.
Giadom, speaking to residents during Wike’s visit, had asserted that Governor Fubara’s political relevance in Gokana depended entirely on Wike’s support. “I guarantee, on behalf of my brothers, that the people of Gokana are loyal to Wike and Tinubu, and nobody can challenge Wike’s influence here,” he said. He added that the area was effectively a “no-go zone” for Fubara, implying the governor must navigate Wike’s influence to succeed politically.
Some local APC figures, including Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol and Gokana LGA Chairman Confidence Deko, appeared to side with Giadom, publicly aligning themselves with Wike and President Bola Tinubu. Their support has underscored existing factional divides within the party at the state level.
During his address, Wike thanked residents of Gokana for their continued support and called for unity. He noted that despite political differences, members of both APC and PDP in Rivers State were working together under President Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’, highlighting a degree of cross-party cooperation.
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