Just In: Yilwatda Mentions APC Leader in Rivers Amid Wike vs Fubara Saga

Just In: Yilwatda Mentions APC Leader in Rivers Amid Wike vs Fubara Saga

  • Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the APC national chairman, has declared Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers as the party leader in the state
  • The APC national chairman made the comment in an interview, adding that the governor needs to work with all other stakeholders for him to win the party's ticket for the 2027 governorship election
  • Prof. Yilwatda's statement came amid the renewed rivalry between the governor and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike

The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has stated that the leader of the party in Rivers state is Governor Siminalayi Fubara, adding that he would support the second-term ambition of the governor if he can win the primaries of the party.

The APC chairman made the declaration while speaking on the Channels Television programme, Hard Copy. His statement reads in part: “Governor Fubara is the leader of the APC in Rivers State, but he would need to coordinate with every other person in the state.”

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The APC national chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has declared Siminalayi Fubara as the party leader in Rivers state amid the governor's renewed rivalry with Nyesom Wike.
APC declares party leader in Rivers amid renewed rivalry between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Nyesom Wike Photo Credit: @GovWike, @SimFubaraKSC
Source: Twitter

APC clears its position on Rivers primary

Professor Yilwatda explained that the party leadership did not choose who to support in the APC primary, adding that he would sympathise with the governor should he not win the party ticket for his second term in office and then move on with whoever wins the ticket.

Yilwatda's comment came amid the renewed rivalry between Governor Fubara and the camp of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, who has alleged that the governor had failed to abide by their agreement with President Bola Tinubu.

Wike and Fubara have been making headlines as they throw banters at each other during the Christmas and New Year holidays. The minister has been visiting local governments in the state and addressing supporters as they geared up for the 2027 general elections.

Nigerians react as APC speaks on Rivers crisis

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Meanwhile, the APC national chairman's comment has started generating reactions from Nigerians. Below are some of their reactions to the video of the interview that was shared on X:

A. Adebanji mentions what will happen if Fubara wins the war:

"The battle for Rivers State: if Fubara manages to pull this off and wins the APC primary and eventually becomes governor, Wike’s political relevance in Rivers State will significantly decline."

Utieyinnoritse McNeil mentions what Fubara needs to do:

"This statement here if Fubara does not play his game well, he would be knocked out in the primaries, so he needs to make sure all those he is putting in his cabinet are party members that can vote for him during the Primaries or else."
The APC has addressed the political crisis in Rivers state.
APC speaks on Rivers' political crisis Photo Credit: @GovWike, @SimFubaraKSC
Source: Twitter

PragmaricDB wrote:

"Yes, Fubara is the leader of APC in Rivers State, but Wike is the political leader in Rivers State."

Sir Lexus commented:

"From his statement, the game has been won and lost, all the federal and state lawmakers are with Wike, all the APC strong hands are with Wike, I don't see a part how Fubara is going to upturn this one."

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See the video of the interview here:

Fubara gives N100k Christmas bonus to workers

Legit.ng earlier reported that Rivers' governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has announced a Christmas bonus of N100,000 to workers and pensioners across the state.

The development has sent a wave of jubilation to the people in the state, who considered the bonus as their 13th-month salary.

This makes Fubara the second governor to announce such a bonus for workers during the 2025 yuletide period.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
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Bada Yusuf (Politics and Current Affairs Editor) Yusuf Amoo Bada is an accomplished writer with over 5 years of experience in journalism and writing, he is also politics and current affairs editor with Legit.ng. He holds B.A in Literature from OAU, and Diploma in Mass Comm. He has obtained certificates in Google's Advance Digital Reporting, News Lab workshop. He previously worked as an Editor with OperaNews. Best Editor of the Year for Politics and Current Affairs Desk (2023) by Legit.ng. Contact: bada.yusuf.amoo@corp.legit.ng