APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda has described Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s withdrawal from the Rivers State APC governorship primary as a personal decision, maintaining that the party strictly adhered to due process throughout the exercise.
Speaking on Politics Today on Monday, Yilwatda said Fubara voluntarily stepped down after successfully completing the party’s screening process.
“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.
Yilwatda also dismissed claims that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, influenced the outcome of the APC governorship primary in Rivers State.
“Wike is not in our party. He is in PDP,” he said in response to allegations that the former Rivers governor played a role in the process and that Fubara could not secure the APC ticket.
Aspirants’ disqualification
Last week, the All Progressives Congress released comprehensive disqualification lists for legislative and governorship aspirants following the conclusion of its national screening exercises ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Addressing the disqualification of some aspirants, Yilwatda said the party’s guidelines require all contestants to be financially active members of the APC.
“Our party guidelines state that before you are qualified to contest for any position, you must be a financial member of the party. The constitution of the party says you must have evidence of paying your dues before you can contest, be voted for, or be nominated.
“If somebody has not paid his dues and has no proof of being a financial member, he stands disqualified. You must be a member of APC,” he stated.
‘Equal rights’
Responding to questions about the eligibility of House of Representatives member Kingsley Chinda — who served as minority leader in the lower chamber but later secured the APC governorship ticket in Rivers State — Yilwatda said the lawmaker had properly defected to the party.
“He defected. Our party has no waiver system.
“Even if you decamp to our party today, you can enjoy equal rights with every other member once you are properly registered,” he said.
Fubara had earlier announced his withdrawal from the APC governorship primary, saying the decision was aimed at prioritising peace, stability, and unity in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
However, questions continued to trail the development because of the governor’s previous political alliance with Wike, his former political mentor.
Meanwhile, another aspirant, Tonye Cole, also withdrew from the APC governorship race, pledging loyalty to the party’s decisions, while Fubara promised to support the eventual APC candidate.
Chinda subsequently emerged as the APC governorship candidate in the oil-rich South-South state.
