Fubara is APC leader in Rivers, not Wike — Bwala

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has declared that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is the recognised leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, insisting that former governor Nyesom Wike has no standing within the ruling party.

Bwala made the assertion on Thursday while speaking on Channels Television’s Hard Copy, against the backdrop of the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State and the impeachment proceedings initiated against Governor Fubara by the State House of Assembly.

According to Bwala, the position of the APC national leadership is unambiguous, with the party’s national chairman affirming Fubara’s leadership of the party in the state.

“In Rivers State, Governor Fubara is the leader of the APC. Wike is not a member of the APC and therefore cannot speak for the party,” Bwala said. “He may be regarded as a leader in the PDP in Rivers State, having been a former governor, but within the APC, the recognised leader is Governor Fubara.”

He added that President Tinubu supports internal party democracy and adherence to the rule of law, noting that the APC leadership’s stance reflects this commitment.

On the impeachment moves against the governor, Bwala said the party expects that Fubara should be allowed to perform his constitutional duties without interference, especially in view of existing court orders halting the process.

“There are court orders stopping the impeachment. The party’s position is clear: no one should obstruct Governor Fubara from governing Rivers State,” he stated.

Bwala also dismissed suggestions that Wike’s position as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory gives him authority within the APC, stressing that the former governor serves the Federal Government, not the party.

“The President believes in rewarding people for their contributions, but not at the expense of the national interest. He grants latitude and privilege, but never at the expense of what is right,” he said.

He urged all political actors in the state to respect constitutional and legal processes, adding that the APC’s recognition of Fubara as its leader in Rivers State should put the matter to rest.

Governor Fubara defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in December 2025 and has since been endorsed by the party for a second term in the 2027 governorship election.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly recently commenced impeachment proceedings against Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, over allegations of gross misconduct, including claims of financial mismanagement and constitutional violations.