The All Progressives Congress (APC) has revealed that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was not disqualified from its governorship primary but voluntarily withdrew after successfully passing the party’s screening.
Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, National Chairman of the APC, stated that Fubara purchased the party’s nomination forms, appeared for scrutiny, and was cleared—only to step down from the race unexpectedly.
Speaking Monday on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Yilwatda insisted the Governor’s decision was personal and not forced by the party.
“He pulled out; he stepped down. It is personal to him,” Yilwatda said. “He bought the forms, came for screening, passed the screening, and we were waiting for the primaries before he opted to step down.”
The APC chairman also dismissed speculation that Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, influenced the outcome of the Rivers APC primary. Yilwatda noted that Wike is not a member of the ruling party.
“Wike is not in our party. He is in the PDP,” he said.
Governor Fubara had earlier announced his withdrawal, citing a desire to prioritise peace, stability, and unity in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 governorship election. His exit has nevertheless fuelled questions given his well-documented political history with Wike, his former political godfather.
Addressing the disqualification of some aspirants, Yilwatda reiterated that APC rules require any candidate to be a financial member of the party.
“Our party guidelines state that before you are qualified to contest for any position, you must be a financial member,” he said. “If somebody has not paid his dues and has no proof of being a financial member, he stands disqualified.”
On the emergence of Kingsley Chinda as the APC governorship candidate in Rivers, Yilwatda explained that Chinda became eligible after defecting to the ruling party. Chinda, a House of Representatives member and former Minority Leader, later secured the party’s ticket.
“Our party has no waiver system,” Yilwatda added. “Even if you decamp to our party today, you can enjoy equal rights with every other member once you are properly registered.”
