…Says, Wike as a non-member, has no role in party
National chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda has declared that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is the leader of the party in Rivers State.
This is coming amid latest political turmoil between Governor Fubara and his predecessor in office, Nyesom Wike over the leadership position in the state.
Governor Fubara had shortly after he was registered as a member of the APC, declared himself as the 001 of Party in the state.
The development infuriated the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who dismissed the Fubara’s stance during a media chat, insisting that he was in-charge of the political structures in the state, saying that both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have teamed up to support President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
However, while reacting to the unhealthy development, the National Chairman of the APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, said that there is no ambiguity over the fact that Governor Fubara is the leader of the APC in Rivers State and emphasised that he would him for a second term if he wins the party’s primaries.
Yilwatda particularly dismissed suggestions that the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, plays any role in the party’s affairs in the state, stressing that APC decisions are strictly limited to its registered members.
Prof Yilwatda, who stated these when he featured on Channels Television, pointedly said that he would not allow himself to be drawn into debates involving individuals who are not members of his party.
The APC National Chairman noted Wike remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and, as such, does not factor into APC’s internal considerations, electoral strategies, or leadership decisions in Rivers State.
In the words of Yilwatda; “Nyesom Wike is in PDP. I must say that repeated references to Wike in APC-related discussions are unnecessary and distracting. The party has many registered members and elected office holders in Rivers State who deserve attention”.
The APC National chairman further said that several politicians, including lawmakers at the National Assembly, have defected from the PDP to the APC in Rivers State and should be the focus of party engagements rather than non-members.
He said; “Allow me to discuss members of my party, not people who are not members of my political party. My mandate as national chairman is limited to managing the affairs of APC and coordinating its activities nationwide, not overseeing or commenting on the internal dynamics of other political parties”.
Yilwatda also said that discussing individuals outside the APC would amount to overstepping his responsibility, saying; “I’m the chairman of APC, not chairman of all political parties in Nigeria”.
The present position of the national leadership of the APC is expected to go a long way in cooling the political tensions in Rivers State and reinforcing the party’s internal democracy, membership loyalty and party rules to guide its actions ahead of future elections.
