The All Progressives Congress (APC) has provided reasons why Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, who recently defected to the party, has not yet received a formal official welcome.
Speaking on TVC on Sunday, the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, clarified that the delay is a strategic move to respect regional and religious timelines, specifically concerning the North.
“We have Kano we’re preparing for. When you’re dealing in politics, we opted to clear the north first because Ramadan is coming and most of the people in the north are Muslims,” Yilwatda explained.
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He noted that the party intends to finish with northern governors first to avoid political scheduling conflicts with the upcoming fasting period.
“We have a lot of communities in the north that are sensitive to the issue of Ramadan. So we pleaded that we clear the northern governors who have to come to the APC first before going to the south, where we don’t have Ramadan as an issue,” he stated.
Yilwatda dismissed any suggestions that the wait implies Fubara lacks political standing within the party, asserting, “So these are strategies and also acknowledge the sensitivity of each community. That’s the reason we took that decision. It has nothing to do with Siminalayi Fubara not having authority.”
When questioned about Fubara’s ability to lead the Rivers State chapter, Yilwatda pushed back against the media’s narrative, asking for proof of any official dissatisfaction.
“Is that what you’re told? I’m the national chairman. Who complained to you? What petition? I want you to give me one petition. Has he complained to you?” he asked.
He further cautioned the press: “When somebody has not complained, and we’ve not seen a physical petition, the media should not create a petition. And they become the petitioners, the judge, and the jailer at the same time.”
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Regarding comments from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, about pro-Tinubu groups in Rivers, Yilwatda clarified that such organizations operate independently of the APC’s formal leadership.
“Support groups are separate from party activities. Is it under the office of the chairman of the party?” he questioned.
Governor Fubara’s move to the APC on December 9, 2025, followed a prolonged political crisis in Rivers State that led to a six-month state of emergency earlier that year.
Although he is the incumbent governor, his leadership of the state party remains a point of contention with supporters of his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who argue that grassroots influence is what defines true control.
