Presidency: Fubara is APC Leader in Rivers State; Wike Mustn’t Interfere in APC’s Internal Affairs

Just like the party’s top hierarchy, the presidency has thrown its weight behind Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, as the undisputed leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state.

The affirmation came just as the Rivers State Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, declined the request by the State House of Assembly to set up a judicial panel to investigate Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, citing a court order.

The Rivers State House of Assembly had requested Justice Amadi to set up a seven-member panel to probe the duo over alleged gross misconduct.

The Chief Judge, in a letter dated January 20 and addressed to the Speaker of the House, Hon. Martins Amaewhule, had cited two court orders barring him from receiving, forwarding, or considering any requests to form such a panel.

The judge stated that the orders were served on his office on January 16, 2026 and remained in force.

Hot on the heels of the judge’s refusal, the Presidency, through the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Communication, Daniel Bwala, affirmed that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is the undisputed leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state and that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike has no locus to speak or act for the party since he’s not a member.

Bwala, who was fielding questions on Channels Television’s programme, Hard Copy, reiterated the  position of the party’s hierarchy, led by Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, that the APC’s structure in Rivers State was clear,  and that Gov. Fubara should be allowed to perform his constitutional duties without undue interference.

Bwala argued that while Wike, a former Governor of Rivers State, may be regarded as the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state (even though he has been expelled by the party), he cannot speak for APC because he is not its member.

To rub the point in, the presidential aide said that was also the position of the president. President Tinubu, he maintained, is a democrat who strongly believes in the rule of law and democratic best practices, and therefore respects APC’s internal procedures.

“I agree with the point highlighted by the National Chairman that in Rivers State, Governor Fubara is the leader of the APC,” Bwala said during the interview. “Wike is not a member of the APC, so he cannot speak for the party.

“He may be regarded as a leader within the PDP in Rivers State, having been a former governor, but the APC leader in the state is Governor Fubara.

“What the National Chairman said is what the party stands by because he respects party procedures. The President believes in the rule of law and due process, and the party will always respect that.”

Bwala also commented on the roiling political crisis in Rivers State, saying that the impeachment proceedings must be conducted within the ambit of the law.

“When you ask who is the leader of the party, the answer is the governor,” he declared.

“There are court orders stopping the impeachment, and the party is clear: nobody should stop Governor Fubara from governing Rivers State.”