ABUJA — In a decisive intervention aimed at quelling the protracted political volatility in Nigeria’s oil hub, the Presidency has formally declared its support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara, affirming him as the “undisputed leader” of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State.
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Speaking on Thursday, January 22, 2026, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, issued a stern warning against external interference in the state’s governance. The statement represents a significant recalibration of the relationship between President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, whose long-standing feud with Fubara has paralyzed state legislative activities for over a year.
The “Adequate Compensation” Clause
Addressing the friction between the President’s cabinet member and the Rivers Governor, Bwala noted that while Wike was a critical ally during the 2023 electoral cycle, his personal political grievances would no longer be permitted to jeopardize national stability.
“Mr. Wike has been adequately compensated with one of the most powerful ministries in the country,” Bwala stated, referencing the FCT portfolio. He added that the President’s gratitude does not grant any individual a license to undermine a sitting governor at the expense of Nigeria’s broader interests. “Once you cross the line of national stability, you will know,” the Special Adviser added, signaling that federal protection for the Minister’s local political battles is nearing its end.
Leadership Reaffirmation
The Presidency emphasized that under the APC’s constitutional framework, the sitting governor is the de facto leader of the party in his state. This declaration effectively neutralizes the claims of the pro-Wike APC faction in Rivers, which had previously sought to bypass the Governor in party decision-making.
The President’s directive further explicitly ordered that “nobody should stop the Governor from discharging his duties,” a move seen as a direct rebuttal to the 26 pro-Wike lawmakers currently attempting to execute a third impeachment plot against Fubara.
This open endorsement follows Governor Fubara’s formal defection to the APC in December 2025. By siding with the Governor, the Presidency appears to be prioritizing the stabilization of the Niger Delta’s primary economic engine over the personal political machinery of the FCT Minister.
Political analysts suggest this shift indicates that the Tinubu administration is consolidating its 2027 re-election strategy around sitting governors rather than “political godfathers.” The development leaves the FCT Minister in an increasingly isolated position, as he must now choose between his ministerial loyalty to the President and his continued attempt to control the Rivers State political structure against the stated wishes of the Commander-in-Chief.
