The Presidency has clarified that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, remains the recognised leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, stressing that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, is not a member of the ruling party.
The clarification was made by President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy and Communication, Daniel Bwala, during an interview on Channels Television’s Hard Copy programme.
Bwala said the leadership structure of the APC in Rivers State is unambiguous and must be respected, adding that Governor Fubara should be allowed to perform his constitutional duties without interference.
According to him, while Wike may wield influence within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State due to his status as a former governor, he has no authority to speak or act on behalf of the APC.
“I agree with the point highlighted by the National Chairman that in Rivers State, Governor Fubara is the leader of the APC. Wike is not a member of the APC, so he cannot speak for the party,” Bwala stated.
He further explained that the APC’s position aligns with President Tinubu’s commitment to the rule of law, internal party democracy and due process.
“He may be regarded as a leader within the PDP in Rivers State, having been a former governor, but the APC leader in the state is Governor Fubara,” he added.
“What the National Chairman said is what the party stands by because he respects party procedures. The President believes in the rule of law and due process, and the party will always respect that.”
Addressing the political tension in Rivers State, particularly the impeachment threats against the governor, Bwala warned that all actions must comply strictly with legal and constitutional provisions.
“When you ask who is the leader of the party, the answer is the governor,” he said.
“There are court orders stopping the impeachment, and the party is clear: nobody should stop Governor Fubara from governing Rivers State.”
