The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has affirmed that the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, is the official leader of the party in the state.
Yilwatda made the clarification on Friday during an appearance on Channels Television’s news programme, Hard Copy. He explained that the APC Constitution explicitly recognizes governors in states controlled by the party as the state leaders, without exception.
“In all the states, the governors lead the party in their respective states,” Yilwatda said, emphasizing that while governors hold this position, they are encouraged to engage all stakeholders, a practice Governor Fubara is reportedly upholding in Rivers State.
On Governor Fubara’s potential second-term bid, the APC Chairman stated that the party will support him if he emerges as the party’s candidate through the primaries, a process determined by duly accredited party delegates. “If Siminalayi emerges as the APC candidate in Rivers State, I will stand by him,” Yilwatda said.
He also downplayed the role of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory in the party’s affairs in Rivers State, noting that the minister is not an APC member, and discussions about non-members are unnecessary.
The statement seeks to quell controversies fueled by political actors attempting to create confusion within the state and underscores the APC’s commitment to internal order and respect for constitutional provisions.
