Bwala Says Fubara, Not Wike, Leads APC in Rivers
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has said that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is the recognised leader of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, stressing that former governor Nyesom Wike is not a member of the ruling party.
Bwala made the statement on Thursday while reacting to the political crisis in Rivers State, where the House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara.
According to him, the position of the party’s national leadership is clear that Fubara, and not Wike, is the leader of the APC in the state.
“I agree with the national chairman that in Rivers State, Governor Fubara is the leader of the All Progressives Congress. Wike is not a member of the APC, so he cannot speak for the party,” he said.
Bwala added that Wike could only be regarded as a leader within the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers, noting that the former governor no longer has authority within the APC.
“He may be a leader in the PDP in Rivers State because he was once governor and they currently do not have a sitting PDP governor. But in the APC, the leader in Rivers State is Governor Fubara,” he stated.
He said President Tinubu supports internal party structures and the rule of law, and fully backs the APC leadership’s position on the matter.
On the impeachment moves against the governor, Bwala said the party expects that Fubara should be allowed to carry out his responsibilities without interference.
“There are court orders stopping the impeachment. The party’s position is clear. Nobody should stop Governor Fubara from governing the state,” he said.
Bwala also clarified that Wike’s appointment as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory does not give him authority within the APC, describing him as serving the Federal Government rather than the party.
“The President believes in rewarding people, but not at the expense of what is right or the national interest,” he said.
He urged all parties involved to respect constitutional processes, adding that the APC’s recognition of Fubara as party leader in Rivers should put the matter to rest.
Fubara defected to the APC in December 2025 after leaving the PDP and has since been endorsed for a second term in 2027.
Meanwhile, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have commenced impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, over allegations of gross misconduct, including claims of financial mismanagement and constitutional violations.
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