ABUJA — The internal power struggle in Rivers State has taken a sharp turn as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, officially declared the party’s neutrality in the “supremacy war” between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
Appearing on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Yilwatda dropped a political bombshell by clarifying the jurisdictional boundaries of the feud. “When it comes to the issue between Wike and Fubara, it’s not within my purview as the National Chairman of APC,” he stated. “Wike is in PDP, Fubara is in APC.”
The ‘Jurisdiction’ Paradox
The Chairman’s remarks have left analysts stunned, as they underscore the unprecedented “political entanglement” currently defining the state.
- Fubara’s Shield: Since Governor Fubara’s formal defection to the APC in December 2025, many expected the ruling party to provide a protective buffer against his former boss.
- Wike’s Status: Despite serving as a key Minister in President Tinubu’s cabinet, Nyesom Wike remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Yilwatda’s refusal to intervene suggests the APC will not use its party machinery to settle scores with an opposition member, even one working within the federal government.
Impeachment and ‘Maturity’
While washing his hands of the personal feud, Yilwatda admitted that the APC-dominated Rivers State House of Assembly falls under his leadership.
- Internal Mechanics: He insisted that while the 27 lawmakers are his responsibility, any moves toward impeachment should be handled with “maturity and discretion.”
- The 2027 Warning: The Chairman reiterated that while Fubara is the “leader” of the party in Rivers, he will not be granted a “free ticket” for the 2027 re-election. “He has to earn it,” Yilwatda emphasized.
Transparency vs. Patronage
The “cold” stance from the APC National Headquarters comes amidst revelations that the real fight in Rivers is over the ₦700 billion IGR surplus. Governor Fubara’s refusal to share these funds with “godfathers” has been labeled his “fresh sin,” leading to the very impeachment threats Yilwatda says the party is now monitoring.
Opposition Reaction
Opposition figures, including those in the ADC, have mocked the APC’s stance, suggesting that Fubara has been “left out in the cold” after being lured into the ruling party. They contrast this with the First Lady’s call for 2027 to be a ‘Patriotic Assignment’, arguing that the APC cannot even bring peace to its own newest governor.
As the Malami terrorism trial and debt crises dominate the national stage, the “ice-cold” neutrality of the APC Chairman suggests that Governor Fubara may have to fight his ₦700bn “transparency war” largely on his own.
