“He was disqualified; therefore his withdrawal was merely face‑saving,” the chieftain added. “A person who has been barred cannot take part in the primary. That is exactly what occurred.”
According to the APC NWC source, Fubara had no influence over the selection of candidates for the Rivers House of Assembly and National Assembly slots. All of his preferred aspirants were disqualified, and the primary structure was effectively handed to Wike.
A separate APC chieftain in Abuja confirmed that Fubara was not cleared by the party’s governorship screening committee, which was chaired by National Chairman Prof Nentawe Yilwatda and Secretary Ajibola Basiru. The official said Fubara left the screening venue angrily after being told he could not contest under the party banner.
“He was disqualified; therefore his withdrawal was merely face‑saving,” the chieftain added. “A person who has been barred cannot take part in the primary. That is exactly what occurred.”
Reactions and Implications
Screening Committee Outcome
According to the APC NWC source, Fubara had no influence over the selection of candidates for the Rivers House of Assembly and National Assembly slots. All of his preferred aspirants were disqualified, and the primary structure was effectively handed to Wike.
A separate APC chieftain in Abuja confirmed that Fubara was not cleared by the party’s governorship screening committee, which was chaired by National Chairman Prof Nentawe Yilwatda and Secretary Ajibola Basiru. The official said Fubara left the screening venue angrily after being told he could not contest under the party banner.
“He was disqualified; therefore his withdrawal was merely face‑saving,” the chieftain added. “A person who has been barred cannot take part in the primary. That is exactly what occurred.”
Reactions and Implications
Even amid the ongoing governorship contest, the party leadership reportedly told Fubara that neither the Presidency nor the Governors’ Forum supported his candidature. He initially said he would skip the APC screening exercise in Abuja, yet later appeared before the committee.
Screening Committee Outcome
According to the APC NWC source, Fubara had no influence over the selection of candidates for the Rivers House of Assembly and National Assembly slots. All of his preferred aspirants were disqualified, and the primary structure was effectively handed to Wike.
A separate APC chieftain in Abuja confirmed that Fubara was not cleared by the party’s governorship screening committee, which was chaired by National Chairman Prof Nentawe Yilwatda and Secretary Ajibola Basiru. The official said Fubara left the screening venue angrily after being told he could not contest under the party banner.
“He was disqualified; therefore his withdrawal was merely face‑saving,” the chieftain added. “A person who has been barred cannot take part in the primary. That is exactly what occurred.”
Reactions and Implications
The insider stated that the APC leadership could not endorse Fubara’s second‑term ambition because it violated the agreed terms and lacked Tinubu’s support. There were indications that some APC chieftains had misled Fubara into believing the party would back his return.
Even amid the ongoing governorship contest, the party leadership reportedly told Fubara that neither the Presidency nor the Governors’ Forum supported his candidature. He initially said he would skip the APC screening exercise in Abuja, yet later appeared before the committee.
Screening Committee Outcome
According to the APC NWC source, Fubara had no influence over the selection of candidates for the Rivers House of Assembly and National Assembly slots. All of his preferred aspirants were disqualified, and the primary structure was effectively handed to Wike.
A separate APC chieftain in Abuja confirmed that Fubara was not cleared by the party’s governorship screening committee, which was chaired by National Chairman Prof Nentawe Yilwatda and Secretary Ajibola Basiru. The official said Fubara left the screening venue angrily after being told he could not contest under the party banner.
“He was disqualified; therefore his withdrawal was merely face‑saving,” the chieftain added. “A person who has been barred cannot take part in the primary. That is exactly what occurred.”
Reactions and Implications
The insider stated that the APC leadership could not endorse Fubara’s second‑term ambition because it violated the agreed terms and lacked Tinubu’s support. There were indications that some APC chieftains had misled Fubara into believing the party would back his return.
Even amid the ongoing governorship contest, the party leadership reportedly told Fubara that neither the Presidency nor the Governors’ Forum supported his candidature. He initially said he would skip the APC screening exercise in Abuja, yet later appeared before the committee.
Screening Committee Outcome
According to the APC NWC source, Fubara had no influence over the selection of candidates for the Rivers House of Assembly and National Assembly slots. All of his preferred aspirants were disqualified, and the primary structure was effectively handed to Wike.
A separate APC chieftain in Abuja confirmed that Fubara was not cleared by the party’s governorship screening committee, which was chaired by National Chairman Prof Nentawe Yilwatda and Secretary Ajibola Basiru. The official said Fubara left the screening venue angrily after being told he could not contest under the party banner.
“He was disqualified; therefore his withdrawal was merely face‑saving,” the chieftain added. “A person who has been barred cannot take part in the primary. That is exactly what occurred.”
Reactions and Implications
Once Fubara settled back in Port Harcourt, certain associates urged him to reconsider the agreement, insisting that as governor he was also the party’s leader. The APC NWC member noted that this pressure led Fubara to entertain thoughts of a second‑term bid, despite the earlier settlement.
Party Leadership’s Position
The insider stated that the APC leadership could not endorse Fubara’s second‑term ambition because it violated the agreed terms and lacked Tinubu’s support. There were indications that some APC chieftains had misled Fubara into believing the party would back his return.
Even amid the ongoing governorship contest, the party leadership reportedly told Fubara that neither the Presidency nor the Governors’ Forum supported his candidature. He initially said he would skip the APC screening exercise in Abuja, yet later appeared before the committee.
Screening Committee Outcome
According to the APC NWC source, Fubara had no influence over the selection of candidates for the Rivers House of Assembly and National Assembly slots. All of his preferred aspirants were disqualified, and the primary structure was effectively handed to Wike.
A separate APC chieftain in Abuja confirmed that Fubara was not cleared by the party’s governorship screening committee, which was chaired by National Chairman Prof Nentawe Yilwatda and Secretary Ajibola Basiru. The official said Fubara left the screening venue angrily after being told he could not contest under the party banner.
“He was disqualified; therefore his withdrawal was merely face‑saving,” the chieftain added. “A person who has been barred cannot take part in the primary. That is exactly what occurred.”
Reactions and Implications
Background
A recent disclosure has shed light on why President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) withdrew their backing from Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara. According to sources who spoke with Punch, the fallout began after Fubara failed to honour the reconciliation terms reached with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
The Original Agreement
An anonymous member of the APC National Working Committee explained that Tinubu had effectively handed over the political structure of Rivers State to Wike. When Fubara defected to the APC, he did so hoping to outmaneuver Wike and secure a second term. However, the party leadership already knew the president’s stance and therefore did not organise an official reception for him after his defection.
The president advised Fubara to concentrate on governance and leave party politics to Wike. Tinubu intervened to shield Fubara from an initial impeachment plot. During a second impeachment threat, the president repeated the same counsel, and all parties agreed that Fubara would not pursue a second term. Fubara accepted this condition, prompting Wike’s frequent remark, “Agreement is agreement.”
Breach of the Deal
Once Fubara settled back in Port Harcourt, certain associates urged him to reconsider the agreement, insisting that as governor he was also the party’s leader. The APC NWC member noted that this pressure led Fubara to entertain thoughts of a second‑term bid, despite the earlier settlement.
Party Leadership’s Position
The insider stated that the APC leadership could not endorse Fubara’s second‑term ambition because it violated the agreed terms and lacked Tinubu’s support. There were indications that some APC chieftains had misled Fubara into believing the party would back his return.
Even amid the ongoing governorship contest, the party leadership reportedly told Fubara that neither the Presidency nor the Governors’ Forum supported his candidature. He initially said he would skip the APC screening exercise in Abuja, yet later appeared before the committee.
Screening Committee Outcome
According to the APC NWC source, Fubara had no influence over the selection of candidates for the Rivers House of Assembly and National Assembly slots. All of his preferred aspirants were disqualified, and the primary structure was effectively handed to Wike.
A separate APC chieftain in Abuja confirmed that Fubara was not cleared by the party’s governorship screening committee, which was chaired by National Chairman Prof Nentawe Yilwatda and Secretary Ajibola Basiru. The official said Fubara left the screening venue angrily after being told he could not contest under the party banner.
“He was disqualified; therefore his withdrawal was merely face‑saving,” the chieftain added. “A person who has been barred cannot take part in the primary. That is exactly what occurred.”
Reactions and Implications
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