The All Progressives Congress (APC) has explained why Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has not yet been officially welcomed into the party.
Speaking on TVC on Sunday, APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda said the delay is part of a strategic plan to manage regional sensitivities, particularly in northern states where Ramadan is approaching.
“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. 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,” Yilwatda explained.
He emphasised that the postponement has nothing to do with Fubara lacking authority. “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,” he added.
When asked about reports suggesting that Fubara was struggling to assert control as APC leader in Rivers, Yilwatda challenged the premise, insisting there was no formal complaint or petition against him. “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? When somebody has not complained, and we’ve not seen a physical petition, the media should not create a petition,” he said.
Yilwatda also clarified that support groups mentioned by political figures, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, operate separately from official APC structures. “Support groups are separate from party activities. Is it under the office of the chairman of the party?” he said.
The political tensions in Rivers State follow a long-running crisis that began after Fubara’s fallout with his predecessor, Wike, during the 2023 power struggle. That conflict prompted President Bola Tinubu to declare a six-month state of emergency in the state.
Fubara formally joined the APC on December 9, 2025, in a move widely interpreted as consolidating support ahead of his 2027 re-election bid. However, Wike continues to wield influence in Rivers, challenging the notion that Fubara’s defection automatically grants him leadership of the party at the grassroots level. Rival factions within both APC and PDP remain engaged in negotiations and political manoeuvres, shaping the state’s complex pre-election dynamics.
