“FUBARA IS APC BOSS IN RIVERS — WIKE HAS NO STANDING,” TINUBU’S AIDE DECLARES

Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Policy Communication, has delivered a blistering clarification on the power tussle rocking Rivers State, declaring Governor Siminalayi Fubara as the undisputed leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, while insisting that Nyesom Wike has no standing whatsoever within the party.
Bwala’s assertion comes against the backdrop of the prolonged and bitter political rift between Governor Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, a crisis that has plunged Rivers State into deep political uncertainty and sparked impeachment moves against the sitting governor.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Hard Copy programme on Thursday, Bwala aligned himself with the position of the APC national leadership, stressing that Wike remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and, therefore, lacks the moral or constitutional authority to speak for or influence the APC in Rivers State.
“I agree with the position clearly stated by the National Chairman that in Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara is the leader of the APC. Wike is not a member of the APC, so he cannot speak for the APC,” Bwala stated emphatically.
He further noted that while Wike may command influence within the PDP due to his past role as governor, such influence does not extend to the APC.
“He may be the leader of the PDP in Rivers State because he was a former governor and they do not currently have a governor. But in the APC, the leader of the party in Rivers State is Governor Fubara,” he added.
Bwala underscored President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to the rule of law, constitutionalism, and internal party democracy, stressing that the President fully supports the stance of the APC leadership on the Rivers political crisis.
“The President believes in the rule of law and rule-based practice. With respect to party affairs, what the national chairman said is the position the President sticks to because he respects party procedures,” Bwala explained.
On the ongoing impeachment attempts against Governor Fubara, the presidential aide was unequivocal, stating that the party’s position is clear: the governor must be allowed to govern without intimidation or interference.
“There are subsisting court orders that halted the impeachment process. The party is clear on this matter — nobody should stop Governor Fubara from governing Rivers State,” he said.
Bwala also drew a sharp line between Wike’s role in the federal government and party affiliation, warning against conflating the two. According to him, Wike serves the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not the APC as a political party.
He dismissed claims that the FCT Minister enjoys unchecked influence within the Tinubu administration, noting that while the President rewards performance, national interest remains paramount.
“The President believes in compensating people for hard work, but never at the expense of Nigeria’s interest. He gives latitude and privilege, but not at the expense of what is right,” Bwala said.
According to him, the recognition of Governor Fubara as the APC leader in Rivers State effectively settles the leadership dispute, urging all political actors to respect due process, court orders, and constitutional governance.
Governor Fubara formally defected from the PDP to the APC in December 2025 and has since received the party’s endorsement for a second term bid in the 2027 general elections.
Despite serving as FCT Minister under an APC-led federal government, Wike has not defected to the APC, and party leaders maintain that he holds no official position or authority within the ruling party.
As the Rivers crisis continues to unfold, the APC leadership insists that party supremacy, the rule of law, and constitutional order must prevail over personal ambitions and political brinkmanship.