National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has affirmed Governor Siminalayi Fubara as the leader of the party in Rivers State.
Yilwatda also said he would back Fubara for a second term if the governor emerges as the APC candidate through the party’s primary election.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Hard Copy, the APC chairman said the party leadership at the State level comes with the responsibility of consultation and inclusiveness.
“Governor Fubara is the leader of the APC in Rivers State, but he must coordinate with every other person in the state,” Yilwatda said.
The declaration comes amid renewed political tension in Rivers State between Governor Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over control of the political structure in the State.
Governor Fubara had, in December, following his defection to the APC, declared himself leader of the party in Rivers State after he was presented with a membership card bearing number 001.
However, Wike dismissed Fubara’s claim, insisting that he controls the political structure in the state, arguing that the APC and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) are aligned in Rivers to support President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
Clarifying his position, Yilwatda said the national leadership of the APC would not impose candidates during primaries.
“I don’t choose who to support in the state’s primary election. If Fubara emerges as the APC candidate, I’ll support him,” he said.
He added: “If he loses the primary, I’ll sympathise with him and go with the person who wins the primary election.”
Yilwatda stressed that adherence to internal democracy remains central to the party’s processes ahead of future elections.