- APC cannot intervene: Wike is PDP, Fubara is APC.
- Impeachment is internal: Concerns only APC lawmakers in Rivers.
- Party mechanisms exist: Disputes are resolved internally.
- Public debate discouraged: Issues require discretion and maturity.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, has clarified that the ongoing political tension between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara is outside the party’s authority. Yilwatda emphasized that the APC has no role in disputes involving politicians from different parties.
During an interview on Politics Today, a Channels Television program on Tuesday, APC Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda said the political clash between Wike and Fubara is not under his party’s jurisdiction.
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“When it comes to the issue between Wike and Fubara, it is not within my purview as national chairman of the APC. Wike is in the PDP, while Fubara is in the APC,” Yilwatda said.
He further explained that the Rivers State impeachment controversy only involves APC members of the state house of assembly and does not concern Wike. According to the chairman, the party has internal mechanisms to handle such disputes.
“The issue of impeachment is not about Wike. It concerns APC members in the house of assembly. That is something I can speak on. It is an internal issue, and we have in-house mechanisms to resolve it,” Yilwatda added.
The APC chairman also stressed that disagreements should be resolved privately and with maturity rather than in public. “We don’t conduct these discussions in public. Issues are better resolved through internal processes that require maturity,” he said.
When asked whether Wike poses a challenge to the ruling party, Yilwatda dismissed it entirely. “Never, never,” he responded.
The political standoff traces back to December 2025 when Wike opposed Fubara’s re-election bid. Wike accused the governor of breaking a prior agreement reached before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu lifted the emergency rule in Rivers State. APC-aligned lawmakers also accused Fubara of spending state funds without legislative approval, prompting impeachment proceedings against him and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu.
However, the impeachment process was stalled after the Rivers State High Court, on January 23, adjourned the matter indefinitely. The court ruled that appeals filed by the speaker and other lawmakers must first be determined by the Court of Appeal.