The All Progressives Congress has stated that Siminalayi Fubara was not disqualified from participating in its governorship primary election in Rivers State, insisting that the governor willingly withdrew from the contest after successfully completing the party’s screening process.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda explained that Fubara had formally purchased the party’s nomination forms, appeared before the screening panel, and was cleared to participate before later deciding to step down ahead of the primary election.
According to Yilwatda, the decision to withdraw was entirely personal and not influenced by the party leadership.
“He bought the forms, underwent screening successfully, and was expected to participate in the primaries before he later chose to withdraw,” the APC chairman said.
Yilwatda also rejected allegations that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, influenced the process or orchestrated Fubara’s withdrawal from the race.
Responding to questions on Wike’s alleged involvement in the APC primary, the APC chairman noted that the former Rivers governor remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party and not the APC.
Fubara had earlier announced his withdrawal from the APC governorship primary, stating that the move was made in the interest of peace, unity, and political stability in Rivers State ahead of next year’s election.
The governor maintained that his decision was not borne out of fear or weakness but was a sacrifice aimed at ensuring harmony and progress within the state, while reaffirming his commitment to serving the people of Rivers State until the expiration of his tenure.
Meanwhile, Wike recently reacted publicly to the ongoing political developments in Rivers State, criticizing Fubara’s withdrawal from the APC race and endorsing Kingsley Chinda as the party’s preferred governorship candidate.
Speaking during an inspection of projects in Abuja, Wike disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had reportedly intervened in the Rivers political crisis. He claimed that part of the understanding reached involved Fubara stepping away from his second-term ambition in exchange for the suspension of impeachment threats from the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Wike also accused Fubara of initially failing to demonstrate political maturity by obtaining the APC nomination form despite ongoing peace efforts involving the presidency and lawmakers in the state.