The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially recognized Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara as the party’s leader in the state.
APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda made the clarification on Friday during Channels Television’s Hard Copy, explaining that the party’s constitution automatically designates governors of APC-controlled states as leaders of the party within their states.
“In all the states, the governors lead the party in their respective areas,” Yilwatda said, adding that governors are expected to involve all stakeholders—a practice Fubara has already demonstrated in Rivers State.
He also noted that while governors lead at the state level, they must respect inclusion at the national level.
On Fubara’s second-term bid, Yilwatda said the APC would support him if he emerges as the party’s candidate through the proper primary process conducted by accredited delegates.
“If Siminalayi emerges as the APC candidate in Rivers State, I will stand by him,” he stated.
The announcement comes amid ongoing speculation about leadership in Rivers APC. Fubara joined the APC in December, leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to align with President Bola Tinubu.
“The truth is, without Mr. President, there wouldn’t be any His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara; it would have been the former governor,” Fubara said.
He added, “We have the people, we have the supporters. Our only thank-you to Mr. President is to support him fully. We cannot support the President if we don’t fully identify with him. Today, we have decided: we are moving to APC.”
