President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has declared that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, is the recognised leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, stressing that former governor Nyesom Wike has no authority within the party.
Bwala made this known on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Hard Copy, amid ongoing political tension in Rivers State following impeachment moves against Governor Fubara by the State House of Assembly.
According to him, the position of the APC national leadership is clear and unambiguous.
“I agree with the position stated by 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 added that while Wike may still command influence within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a former governor, that influence does not extend to the APC.
“He may be regarded as a leader of the PDP in Rivers State because they currently do not have a sitting governor, but as far as the APC is concerned, the leader of the party in Rivers State is Governor Fubara,” he explained.
Bwala noted that President Tinubu fully supports internal party democracy, due process, and the rule of law, aligning with the APC leadership’s stance on the Rivers political situation.
Addressing the impeachment proceedings against Fubara, the presidential aide said the party expects the governor to be allowed to perform his constitutional duties without interference.
“There are court orders stopping the impeachment. The position of the party is clear, nobody should prevent Governor Fubara from governing Rivers State,” he said.
Bwala also dismissed suggestions that Wike’s position as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) gives him authority within the APC, stating that his ministerial role is one of service to the Federal Government, not party leadership.
“The President believes in rewarding people for service, but not at the expense of what is right or against the interest of Nigeria,” he said.
He urged political stakeholders in the state to respect constitutional processes, adding that the APC’s recognition of Fubara as its Rivers State leader should put an end to internal disputes.
Governor Fubara officially joined the APC in December 2025 after defecting from the PDP and has since been endorsed by the party for a second term ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Meanwhile, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have commenced impeachment proceedings against Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, citing allegations of gross misconduct, including financial mismanagement and constitutional violations.
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