ABUJA — The All Progressives Congress (APC) has provided clarity on why it is yet to host a formal reception for the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, following his defection to the ruling party in late 2025.
The APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, explained that the delay is purely a matter of “strategic scheduling” and respect for regional religious sensitivities. Speaking on TVC Politics on Monday, February 9, 2026, Yilwatda noted that the party’s current priority is to conclude the formal welcoming of several defecting Northern governors before the commencement of the Ramadan fast.
Cultural Sensitivities vs. Political Urgency
Prof. Yilwatda dismissed claims that the delay was a sign of friction between the party leadership and the Rivers State Governor.
“Governor Fubara is a valued member of the APC, but we have a schedule that we must follow,” Yilwatda stated. “We have governors from the North who recently joined us, and because of the forthcoming Ramadan, we want to ensure their official receptions are concluded before they enter the holy month of fasting. Once that is done, we will move to the South-South for Governor Fubara’s ceremony.”
The ‘Godfather’ Shadow
The explanation comes amidst intense speculation that the APC is “ice-cold” toward Fubara to avoid offending his predecessor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who remains a key ally of President Tinubu despite being in the PDP.
Just days ago, Yilwatda made headlines by disowning the Wike-Fubara “supremacy war,” asserting that the feud was not the APC’s business. Critics argue that by delaying Fubara’s “coronation,” the party is leaving the Governor vulnerable to the impeachment threats from the Wike-aligned House of Assembly.
2027 and the ‘Free Ticket’ Debate
The Chairman further clarified that while Fubara is the leader of the APC in Rivers State, the party’s democratic processes remain supreme. He reiterated that the Governor will not be granted an automatic “free ticket” for the 2027 elections, insisting that he must “earn” the party’s confidence through performance and grassroots mobilisation.
A Fractured Opposition
The APC’s expansionist drive in the North and South-South has left the opposition in disarray. While Gabriel Suswam and Atiku Abubakar seek refuge in the ADC coalition, the APC appears confident in its ability to manage its new high-profile defectors.
However, as the security situation in Kwara and Benue remains critical, and the petrol price nears ₦1,000, the APC leadership’s focus on “Ramadan sensitivities” over the political stability of Rivers State is being questioned by observers.
