Rivers 2027: Fubara withdrew on his own, Wike not our member – APC chairman Yilwatda

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has clarified that Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara was neither disqualified nor forced out of its governorship primary race, insisting that he voluntarily withdrew after successfully passing the party’s screening exercise.

APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, made the clarification on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, stating that Fubara fully participated in the party’s internal processes before stepping down on his own accord.

Yilwatda explained that the governor purchased nomination forms, appeared before the screening committee, and was cleared to contest before later opting out of the race ahead of the primaries.

“He pulled out; he stepped down. It is personal to him. He bought the forms, came for screening, passed the screening, and we were waiting for the primaries before he opted to step down,” he said.

The APC chairman also dismissed suggestions that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, influenced Fubara’s withdrawal, stressing that Wike is not a member of the ruling party.

“Wike is not in our party. He is in PDP,” Yilwatda added.

It will be recalled that Fubara had earlier announced his withdrawal from the APC governorship primary, saying the decision was taken in the interest of peace, stability, and unity in Rivers State ahead of the election cycle.

He said his decision was not borne out of weakness but sacrifice, noting that it was aimed at ensuring peace in the state while he continues to serve out his tenure.

Meanwhile, Wike has also reacted to the political developments in Rivers State, describing Fubara’s withdrawal as part of a broader political understanding, while backing the emergence of House of Representatives member Kingsley Chinda as a key contender.

Speaking during an inspection tour of infrastructure projects in Abuja, Wike suggested that a political agreement brokered by President Bola Tinubu shaped recent events, including assurances around impeachment threats in the state legislature.

The unfolding developments continue to generate political reactions within Rivers State and across the country as party alignments intensify ahead of the next election cycle.

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