APC recognises Fubara as Rivers leader, not Wike — Bwala

The Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has reaffirmed that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is the recognised leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, stressing that former governor Nyesom Wike is not a member of the ruling party.

Bwala made the clarification while speaking on Channels Television’s Hard Copy, against the backdrop of the deepening political crisis in Rivers State, which has escalated into impeachment proceedings initiated by members of the State House of Assembly against Governor Fubara.

“I agree with the point highlighted by the national chairman that in Rivers State, Governor Fubara is the leader of the APC,” Bwala said.

“Wike is not a member of APC, so he cannot speak for the APC.”

He explained that while Wike may still wield influence within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, he has no authority or standing within the APC.

“He may be the leader of the PDP in Rivers State because he was a former governor and they do not have a governor at the moment. But in APC, the leader of the party in Rivers State is Governor Fubara,” he added.

Party Procedure, Rule of Law

Bwala noted that President Tinubu remains committed to the rule of law and internal party processes, stressing that the President fully aligns with the position of the APC leadership on the Rivers situation.

“The President believes in the rule of law and rule-based practice. With respect to party affairs, what the national chairman said is the position the President sticks to because he respects party procedure,” he said.

On the impeachment moves against Governor Fubara, the presidential aide said the party’s position was unambiguous, insisting that the governor must be allowed to carry out his constitutional duties without interference.

“There have been orders of court that stopped impeachment. The party is clear. Nobody should stop Fubara from governing the state,” Bwala said.

Wike’s Role in Federal Government

Bwala also clarified that Wike’s role as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) should not be conflated with party membership, stressing that the former governor serves the federal government, not the APC as a political organisation.

He dismissed claims that Wike enjoys undue influence within the Tinubu administration, noting that the President rewards performance but not at the expense of national interest.

“The President believes in compensating people, but not at the expense of the interest of Nigeria. He will give you latitude and privilege, but not at the expense of what is right,” he said.

According to Bwala, the dispute between Wike and Fubara has effectively been settled by the APC’s recognition of Fubara as the party’s leader in Rivers State, urging all stakeholders to respect due process and constitutional governance.

Governor Fubara defected from the PDP to the APC in December 2025 and has since been endorsed by the ruling party for a second term in the 2027 governorship election.

Despite serving as FCT Minister under an APC-led federal government, Wike has not joined the APC. Party leaders maintain that he has no official standing within the party.