APC Leaders Pledge Support for Fubara Amid Fresh Clash with Wike

Leading figures in the All Progressives Congress have supported Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State, as political tensions between him and Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, escalate.

Ajibola Basiru, the APC’s national secretary, affirmed the party’s support for Fubara’s administration and bid for a second term.

“No APC governor can be annoyed by anyone. Fubara is effectively managing his state’s business, much like other APC governors, Basiru told Sunday PUNCH.

Recall that on December 9, 2025, Fubara formally left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the APC. Many believe this was a calculated maneuver to ensure his reelection.

17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly defected to the APC after his transfer, solidifying his political foundation inside the party.

Nentawe Yilwatda, the APC National Chairman, referred to Fubara as the party’s leader in Rivers State in order to bolster party support.

Yilwatda stated, “Governor Fubara is the leader of the APC in Rivers State, but he would need to coordinate with every other person in the state,” on Friday’s “Hard Copy” show on Channels Television.

Wike maintains that Fubara’s second term is doubtful, but the governor’s ascent within the APC has heightened his conflict with him.

Wike warned against “opportunistic politics” and accused the governor of breaching their peace agreement.

“Fubara’s defection to the APC does not make him the party leader in Rivers,” the FCT minister stated during his monthly media conference. The state’s political leader is still me. The ward structures and municipal administrations are still controlled by our supporters.

During a public event that was shown on Arise TV, Fubara obliquely responded by saying that he had been the target of blackmail.

“Dogs only bark when they don’t understand.” We have everything we need to ensure a pleasant travel, and we know where we are heading,” he said.

Wike’s claims are rejected by party insiders.
According to an unknown APC national officer who spoke to Sunday Punch, Wike lacks the power to determine Fubara’s political future.

Wike’s assertion of political control in Rivers was contested by him, who said that the FCT minister’s claim to have Rivers State in his pocket is untrue.

“Wike is only agitating himself needlessly because the President, not him, will make the final choice over Rivers. Wike’s claims of popularity are untrue. The Labour Party defeated him in the most recent election, and he lost his polling place. He is only fortunate that the President was able to defeat the opposition and believed that he (Wike) was helpful. It was difficult to defeat Rivers State.

The APC’s Governors’ Forum consistently provides significant support for the party, and Fubara is an APC governor. We will respect the governors and provide them with the assistance they require in accordance with our party’s norms,” he declared.

The official stated that the APC would not impose candidates in response to a question on whether the party would automatically grant Fubara a second term.

However, the national officer clarified that re-election would be more likely for any governor than for new candidates.

“A current governor running as an incumbent always has the advantage. Unless important national stakeholders disagree, it is a simple political issue. An incumbent governor has a greater chance than those who are merely entering the race from outside.

Rivers believes that the state is essentially turning into an APC one-party state. Even in Ekiti State, some individuals bought forms to run for governor, but some of them failed to receive the necessary nomination. The governor was chosen as a consensus choice after the others who made it through resigned,” he continued.

Basiru added that the party identified with Fubara in a statement to Punch.

He pointed out that the National Working Committee of the APC was tasked with uniting the governors and fortifying the party’s national organization.

“He is building projects, commissioning projects, and managing the government,” he stated. He is a member of our party, so the party needs to identify with him. For this reason, we can relate to him. Therefore, I do not wish to get involved in any other politics.

I am aware that he is a governor on our party’s platform and that President Bola Tinubu has nominated him to serve on a crucial committee. It doesn’t matter if not everyone will be pleased with you, just like in every specific situation. God is the source of power, and the people will choose their destination at the right moment.

However, we still have a responsibility to support each and every governor as a party. All of our party’s members still have my undying support and identification. I participate in every event and program that my party is participating in. I will undoubtedly support and fortify our party.

In response to Victor Giadom, the National Vice Chairman of the APC, South-South Zone, Basiru warned APC leaders not to disparage any of the party’s governors.

“It is regrettable that a member of the NWC, who serves as the Vice Chairman of the APC’s South-South zone, termed one of our party’s governors a “so-called governor of Rivers State.” Regardless of who he is loyal to, it is inappropriate for someone in such a delicate position, and no one should support it.

“You cannot term an elected governor a “so-called governor” to appease anyone, even if the governor does not belong to our party. Regardless of political disagreements or enmity, the governor’s office is an exalted position, and whoever holds it should be respected,” he stated.

In a same vein, Duru Eze, the APC’s Deputy National Organizing Secretary, said that the President, the APC NWC, and the National Executive Committee supported Fubara and other governors.

Additionally, he confirmed that Fubara and the others will have the same rights and benefits as any other party member.

“President Bola Tinubu is the party’s leader.” The APC’s constitution and its manifesto were initially endorsed by each governor who joined the party.

Additionally, they enjoy the support of the party’s NEC and NWC as well as the President. Therefore, Fubara, other governors, and others will have all the assistance they need to be successful,” he continued.

Additionally, Fubara would benefit from the party’s backing, according to Bala Ibrahim, the party’s director of publicity.

“President Bola Tinubu’s accomplishments through the Renewed Hope Agenda are the reason why all governors, not just Fubara, are joining the APC. Both the party and the president have their support.

“Because they are now a part of the progressives working for the development of Nigeria, they will enjoy all the necessary support at all levels,” he said.