As the political drama surrounding Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, intensifies, one of his allies has stepped forward to insist that his appearance before the All Progressives Congress screening committee was successful, despite the controversy that followed his abrupt exit from the venue.
In sharp contrast to reports suggesting tension and uncertainty around the governor’s 2027 re-election bid, key figures close to Fubara are pushing back against claims that the screening exercise ended in a setback for him.
Chijioke Ihunwo, a former chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State and a key ally of the governor, took to social media to congratulate Fubara on what he described as a successful screening and clearance by the APC election committee.
“Formally and personally, I heartily congratulate His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, on his successful screening and clearance by the Election Committee to contest in the primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC),” Ihunwo wrote in a post that quickly gained traction among the governor’s supporters.
The former chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria for Rivers and South-South also expressed confidence in Fubara’s chances, despite the ongoing power struggle within the APC and the growing speculation over his political future.
The re-election bid of the Rivers State governor appeared to suffer a setback on Sunday after he stormed out of the APC screening hall in Abuja.
While other incumbent governors were successfully screened on Saturday, Fubara was conspicuously absent.
He eventually arrived at the Plateau Governor’s Lodge, venue of the exercise, at about 3 p.m. on Sunday.
However, the governor reportedly stormed out of the screening room after only 20 minutes, with his demeanor visibly changed.
Fubara, with anger written across his face, refused to grant interviews to journalists who had waited for hours for his arrival.
When approached by reporters who asked how the exercise went, a visibly distressed Fubara simply said, “No comment.”
Since the screening of aspirants commenced, committee members had traditionally escorted governors seeking re-election or senatorial tickets out of the venue as a mark of respect.
However, it was a different story for Fubara, as committee members did not escort him out.
They reportedly left the room six minutes after his departure.
Sunday’s screening session was presided over by the APC Deputy National Chairman, North, Ali Dalori.
Fubara has been locked in a running political battle with his estranged political godfather, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
There have also been allegations that Wike has resolved to replace Fubara with the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Kingsley Chinda.
Unconfirmed reports further suggested that one of Wike’s sons is being positioned to take over Chinda’s seat in the House of Representatives. Chinda currently represents Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency.
Chinda was reportedly the first aspirant to be screened on Saturday for the APC governorship ticket.
Speaking with journalists after the session, APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, said the process was still ongoing.
When specifically asked whether Fubara had been successfully screened, Basiru said there was no final report yet from the screening committee.
“I don’t know what you mean by ‘screened.’ Anyone who appears before the committee does so as a necessary part of the process. Once the committee has seen everyone, they will sit down and produce a report. As of now, there is no report from the screening committee,” he said.
On Saturday, the National Chairman of the APC, Nentawe Yilwatda, had explained Fubara’s initial absence, citing official government activities.
He cautioned against singling out the Rivers governor, noting that the governors of Kwara and Ebonyi were also absent due to state exigencies.
“Why single one person out? Three governors have not appeared yet, and they all have their reasons. They are chief executives with urgent issues to attend to,” Yilwatda said.
He also assured that the party remained flexible with the schedules of state executives.
“Anytime they are free, they can call the committee and we will screen them at their convenience,” the APC national chairman said.
