- APC says delay is a strategic political decision
- Ramadan considerations influenced timing in the North
- Party denies claims of Fubara lacking authority
- APC dismisses reports of internal Rivers leadership crisis
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has explained why Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has not yet been formally welcomed into the party following his recent defection, saying the delay is linked to regional political planning and Ramadan considerations, not internal power struggles.
The All Progressives Congress has dismissed speculations surrounding the delayed official reception of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, into the ruling party.
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Speaking during a live interview on TVC News on Sunday, APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, said the party deliberately postponed the formal welcome as part of a broader political strategy designed to respect regional sensitivities, especially in northern states.
According to Yilwatda, the party is currently prioritising activities in Kano and other northern states ahead of the Ramadan season, noting that religious observances play a major role in political scheduling.
“We opted to clear the North first because Ramadan is coming and most of the people there are Muslims,” Yilwatda said.
“There are communities that are very sensitive to Ramadan, so we decided to complete northern engagements before moving to the South.”
He stressed that the delay has nothing to do with Governor Fubara’s authority or influence within the APC.
“This decision has absolutely nothing to do with Siminalayi Fubara not having authority,” he added.
Responding to claims that Fubara has struggled to assert himself as APC leader in Rivers State, the APC chairman challenged critics to provide concrete evidence.
“Who complained? Where is the petition? I am the national chairman,” Yilwatda said.
“The media should not create petitions where none exist and then act as petitioner, judge, and jailer.”
On comments credited to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, about Rivers political actors aligning under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, Yilwatda clarified that such alignments are not part of the APC’s official party structure.
“Support groups are separate from party activities,” he said.
“They do not operate under the office of the party chairman.”
The questions surrounding Fubara’s leadership come against the backdrop of the prolonged Rivers State political crisis, which began after his fallout with his predecessor, Wike, following the 2023 elections.
The crisis escalated to the point where President Bola Tinubu declared a six-month state of emergency in the state to restore stability.
