Fubara Not APC Leader in Rivers — Wike Insists

Lawyer dismisses FCT Minister’s claim as “laughable”

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has rejected claims that Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara automatically became the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state following his recent defection to the ruling party.

Speaking on Monday during a media parley in Port Harcourt, Wike maintained that party leadership is not determined by political office but by grassroots party structures at the ward and local government levels.

“There is nothing like ‘001’ in party politics,” Wike said. “You register in your ward. You could be the first to register, but it does not mean that because you are governor, you automatically become the leader of the party.”

Rivers Politics Still Deeply Divided

Governor Fubara’s political future remains a subject of intense debate in Rivers State following the prolonged crisis triggered by his fallout with his predecessor, Wike.

According to The Guardian, part of the peace agreement brokered by President Bola Tinubu in September included an understanding that Fubara would not seek a second term. However, since defecting to the APC, the governor appears to have regained political momentum, drawing support from influential power blocs in Abuja.

This momentum was further reinforced when APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, urged Rivers residents to support President Tinubu and Governor Fubara ahead of the 2027 general elections. Basiru made the remarks while commissioning a project in the state, praising Fubara’s governance record and project delivery.

Lawyer Slams Wike’s Position

However, Wike’s assertion has drawn sharp criticism from Living Jamala, a legal practitioner and political analyst, who described the minister’s position as “laughable” and “preposterous.”

Jamala argued that Wike, who remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has no standing to define leadership within the APC.

“With due respect to the honourable minister, it is laughable for someone who belongs to another political party to attempt to define leadership within the APC,” Jamala said.

He stressed that political parties operate through internal mechanisms, adding that leadership decisions are the exclusive preserve of party members.

“From all available records, the FCT minister is still in the PDP. There is no evidence of his defection to the APC. It is difficult to understand how someone outside the party can determine its affairs,” he added.

Jamala noted that while such interference might occur in loosely structured groups, the APC, as a national party with a defined hierarchy, cannot be run by external actors.

‘Fubara Commands Grassroots Support’

The lawyer also cautioned against underestimating Governor Fubara’s political strength, noting that the sitting governor enjoys significant grassroots backing in Rivers State.

“Fubara is not just an individual; he is a sitting governor with organic followers. You do not need to deploy federal might where there is genuine support for a performing government,” Jamala said.

According to him, political influence is built on credibility, conviction and public trust, not coercion.

Leadership Must Be Earned — Wike

Responding to the criticism, Wike acknowledged that governors are often seen as party leaders in their states but insisted that leadership must be earned through influence and control of party structures.

“Leadership is not because I am a governor. You must have something that makes you a leader,” he said, jokingly asking who truly controls party leadership in Lagos State.

Wike attributed Rivers’ political tension to a breakdown of trust, particularly over commitments allegedly made during reconciliation meetings involving the governor, lawmakers and party elders.

He accused Governor Fubara of misrepresenting facts surrounding peace efforts.

“The governor cannot say there was no meeting. He was present. I don’t like politicians who do not tell the truth,” Wike said.

‘Politics Requires Courtesy’

Wike also criticised what he described as a lack of basic political courtesy by the governor, arguing that unity requires deliberate engagement.

“Nobody told me to visit the Assembly to say thank you. Nobody told me to call the Speaker to say Merry Christmas. These are things you do to show seriousness,” he said.

Wike Dismisses Makinde’s Allegations

On the crisis within the PDP, Wike dismissed claims by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde that he privately promised President Tinubu to undermine the opposition party.

“That is not true. Nothing like that happened,” Wike said, describing the allegation as unfair and driven by frustration.

He explained that the only post-election visit to President Tinubu was a joint courtesy call involving former governors Samuel Ortom, Okezie Ikpeazu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Makinde himself.

“There was no private meeting. The Chief of Staff was present, as always,” he said.

On FCT Affairs

Addressing speculation about strained relations with FCT Senator Ireti Kingibe, Wike denied any breakdown, noting that policy disagreements do not preclude cooperation.

He cited a letter from the senator commending him for road rehabilitation projects in Abuja and listed improvements in security, infrastructure and transportation across the FCT.

Wike explained that some sanitation challenges stemmed from the termination of legacy contracts and ongoing procurement reforms.