Top officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have affirmed their backing for Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, as political friction with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, intensifies.
National Secretary of the APC, Ajibola Basiru, confirmed the party’s support for Fubara’s administration and his bid for a second term, stating, “Nobody can frustrate any APC governor. Fubara, like other APC governors, is running the affairs of his state well.”
Fubara officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC on December 9, 2025, a move widely regarded as strategic for securing his re-election. The defection was quickly followed by 17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, further consolidating his political base within the party.
Reinforcing the support, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda described Fubara as the leader of the party in Rivers State. “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 during an appearance on Channels Television’s ‘Hard Copy’ programme.
The governor’s growing influence within the APC has escalated his ongoing feud with Wike, who contends that Fubara’s second-term prospects remain uncertain. Wike accused the governor of violating their prior peace accord and warned against “opportunistic politics,” asserting, “Fubara’s defection to the APC does not make him the party leader in Rivers. I remain the political leader of the state. Our supporters still control the local governments and ward structures.”
In response, Fubara, speaking at a public event aired on Arise TV, dismissed claims of intimidation, stating, “The only reason the dog barks is when it doesn’t understand. We know where we are going and have set all the things that are needed to make the journey smooth.”
Party Insiders Reject Wike’s Claims
An APC national officer, speaking anonymously, told Sunday PUNCH that Wike does not have the authority to determine Fubara’s political future. “Wike is just unnecessarily agitating himself because ultimately, the decision on Rivers will be that of the President, not him. Fubara is a governor of the APC, and the Governors’ Forum of the APC is always a major support for the party. By the rules of our party, we are going to respect the governors and give them the necessary support,” he said.
The officer added that while the APC does not automatically grant re-election tickets, sitting governors generally enjoy a strategic advantage over new contenders. “An incumbent governor stands a better chance than people coming from outside to challenge,” he explained.
Basiru reiterated the party’s identification with Fubara, highlighting his ongoing governance and project initiatives. “As a party, we are duty-bound to identify with all our governors. Fubara has been appointed to an important committee by President Bola Tinubu to work for the party. Not everybody will be happy with you, but it is God who gives power, and the people will decide at the appropriate time,” he said.
He also criticized derogatory remarks made by APC leaders about fellow governors, stressing that all elected officials must be respected, regardless of political differences.
Other party officials, including Deputy National Organising Secretary Duru Eze and Director of Publicity Bala Ibrahim, echoed support for Fubara, affirming that he would enjoy the backing of the President, the APC National Working Committee (NWC), and the National Executive Committee (NEC). Ibrahim noted, “All governors and others joining the APC are doing so because of the achievements of President Bola Tinubu through the Renewed Hope Agenda. They will enjoy all necessary support at all levels as part of the progressives working for Nigeria’s development.”
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