Fubara is APC leader in Rivers, Wike not our member – Presidency

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.

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