The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has confirmed that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is the leader of the party in Rivers State, citing the party’s tradition of recognising sitting governors as state party leaders.
During an interview on Channels Television, Yilwatda added that while governors have the privilege to lead party structures in their states, such leadership must be exercised with inclusiveness and respect for other stakeholders stressing that leadership does not allow for exclusion or disenfranchisement of other party members noting the that encourages wide consultation and coordination at all levels.
“Being a leader doesn’t give you the right to disenfranchise those within the state,” he said.
According to him, the party’s structure allows governors to lead at the state level, while the national leadership only plays a coordinating role across states. “As national chairman, I only coordinate what is happening at the state levels,” he added.
When asked directly to clarify the Rivers situation, Yilwatda confirmed that Governor Fubara is the party leader in the state but emphasised that such leadership comes with the responsibility of working with all party actors. “Yes, but he will need to coordinate with every other person in the state,” he stated.
On the issue of a possible second-term ambition for the Rivers governor, Yilwatda made it clear that the party would not bypass its internal democratic processes for any individual.
He said he does not choose candidates and would not endorse anyone ahead of party primaries, stressing that all aspirants, including sitting governors, must contest and win party primaries to emerge as candidates. “I’ll go with candidates, not individuals,” he said.
Drawing from past experience, he cited how even incumbent governors in other states had to pick nomination forms and compete like other aspirants before earning party support.
He maintained that once a candidate emerges through a credible primary process, the party leadership would fully rally behind that candidate, regardless of personality. “If he emerges as the candidate, I’ll support him. If he loses, I’ll go with the person that wins,” he added.
