Politics
Fubara is APC leader in Rivers, Wike not our member – Presidency
Bwala stressed that former governor Nyesom Wike is not a member of the APC and cannot speak for the party.
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has reaffirmed that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, remains the recognised leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, insisting that former governor Nyesom Wike is not a member of the ruling party.
Bwala made the clarification on Hard Copy, a current affairs programme on Channels Television, against the backdrop of the escalating political crisis in Rivers State, which has culminated in impeachment proceedings initiated by members of the state House of Assembly against Governor Fubara.
According to him, the position of the APC leadership at the national level is clear and unequivocal.
“I agree with the position of 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 said.
He acknowledged that Wike may wield influence within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, given his status as a former governor, but stressed that such influence does not extend to the APC.
“He may be the leader of the PDP in Rivers State because he was a former governor and they currently do not have a governor, but in the APC, the leader of the party in Rivers State is Governor Fubara,” he added.
Respect for Party Procedure
Bwala further stated that President Tinubu remains firmly committed to the rule of law and internal party discipline, noting that the President fully aligns with the position taken by the APC leadership on the Rivers situation.
“The President believes in the rule of law and rule-based practices. On party matters, the position expressed by the national chairman reflects what the President stands by because he respects party procedure,” he said.
Addressing the impeachment moves against Fubara, the presidential aide said the party’s stance is unambiguous, stressing that the governor must be allowed to carry out his constitutional responsibilities without obstruction.
“There are subsisting court orders stopping the impeachment. The party is clear on this matter. Nobody should interfere with Governor Fubara in the discharge of his duties,” Bwala stated.
Wike’s Federal Role
Bwala also clarified that Wike’s appointment as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory should not be misconstrued as membership or leadership influence within the APC.
He explained that the former Rivers governor serves the federal government and not the APC as a political organisation.
“The President believes in rewarding performance, but not at the expense of Nigeria’s interest. He gives latitude and privilege, but never at the expense of what is right,” Bwala said.
According to him, the political disagreement between Wike and Fubara has effectively been resolved by the APC’s recognition of Fubara as its leader in Rivers State, urging all stakeholders to respect constitutional processes and due governance.
Governor Fubara defected from the PDP to the APC in December 2025 and has since been endorsed by the party for a second term ahead of the 2027 elections.
Wike, although serving in an APC-led federal government, has not joined the ruling party. The APC leadership maintains that he holds no official position within the party and serves strictly in a federal capacity.
Follow Us on Google Discover
2027: Kwankwaso a goat in sheep’s clothing, secretly working for Tinubu – Atiku Campaign Council
DSS arrests Maina’s fugitive son in Abuja, hands him over to EFCC
2027: Step down if you are not working for Tinubu – Deji Adeyanju dares Obi, Kwankwaso
2027: ‘I wont join my Uncle to support Tinubu’ – Davido says
Enugu NYSC death: NAFDAC debunks claims linking corps members death to fake drugs
33 Governors cannot be wrong in supporting Tinubu – Bayo Onanuga
Security forces arrest five suspects over abduction of 20 NYSC members in Imo
Rugby star Hyron Andrews dies at 31 after accidental fall in South Africa
LAUTECH Resident Doctors halt 50-day strike as Makinde intervenes
House Officers, Nurses, Radiographers, Others wanted as DELSUTH opens recruitment – Apply Now
FG raises health fund allocation to N40.76bn, extends insurance to prison inmates
Erisco Foods announces 13 job openings across Nigeria – Apply Now
Tinubu reappoints Bala Bila as INEC commissioner, nominates six others
2027: ‘Don’t trust your destiny to ‘kalokalo’ people’ – Wike warns Rivers voters against Atiku, Amaechi, Obi
BREAKING: Cross River PDP Chairman Venatius Ikem resigns, cites leadership crisis
Erisco Foods announces 13 job openings across Nigeria – Apply Now
Ex-Senator Bello Mandiya’s body found in Abuja home three days after he slipped, hit his head in the bathroom
2027: Atiku, Obi, Makinde, Adebayo, Duke hold talks with six opposition parties
‘You Betrayed Osun People’ — Adeleke, Davido face backlash over support for Tinubu
Tinubu reappoints Bala Bila as INEC commissioner, nominates six others
JUST IN: Finnish Appeal Court reduces Simon Ekpa’s jail term to four years, upholds terrorism conviction
‘I love Islam, I’ve sent people to Mecca to pray for me, Nigeria for 25 years’ – Akpabio
Zamfara govt set to empower 36,176 residents with Dangote shares
Over 10 soldiers, four civilians feared dead as Boko Haram terrorists attack Borno military base
Umahi reopens first Niger bridge after emergency repairs, displays Tinubu’s photos
Lagos govt announces 3-day traffic diversion on Independence bridge for emergency repairs
Panic in Rivers community as pipeline explosion injures 20, razes over 50 houses
Tension escalates as thugs attack NDC secretariat in Edo, destroy properties
‘Local champion’ – Donald Duke takes fresh swipe at Gov Diri over Lagos-Calabar coastal highway
