The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has clarified the status of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, within the ruling party, stating that although the governor has defected to the APC, he is yet to be officially welcomed due to what he described as strategic and logistical considerations.
Professor Yilwatda made the disclosure during an interview on TVC on Sunday, where he addressed growing public debate and speculation surrounding Governor Fubara’s standing in the APC, particularly regarding control of the party’s structure in Rivers State.
His comments appear to confirm that, for now, Governor Fubara does not oversee the APC’s political machinery in the state, despite having crossed over to the ruling party months ago.
The clarification comes amid persistent rumours of internal tension within the APC in Rivers State, with some observers suggesting that the governor’s allies are unhappy about his limited influence within the party. However, the APC chairman dismissed such claims, insisting that there is no rancour, crisis, or disunity within the party’s Rivers State chapter.
According to Professor Yilwatda, Governor Fubara has neither complained nor submitted any petition to the party’s national leadership over the issue, an indication, he said, that the governor understands the situation and is not displeased by it.
“When people speculate that his supporters are unhappy, that is just speculation,” Yilwatda said during the interview. “The governor himself has not complained, he has not petitioned anyone, and he understands that this is an internal party matter.”
His remarks suggest that the APC leadership views the current arrangement as temporary and procedural rather than a deliberate attempt to sideline the Rivers State governor.
Addressing the delay in Governor Fubara’s formal reception into the APC, Professor Yilwatda pointed to the party’s ongoing prioritisation of governors defecting from northern Nigeria, citing the approaching Islamic holy month of Ramadan as a key factor influencing the party’s timetable.
According to him, political activities in much of northern Nigeria tend to slow down significantly once Ramadan begins, as attention shifts to religious observance. To avoid disruptions, the APC leadership decided to fast-track the official reception of northern governors who recently defected to the party, while asking their southern counterparts to exercise patience.
“Governor Fubara hasn’t been officially welcomed into the APC because of Ramadan,” Yilwatda explained. “We are prioritising the governors from the North because Ramadan is close. Once Ramadan starts, political gatherings will be suspended in the North. That doesn’t apply in the South, so we pleaded that we finish that before going to the South.”
He stressed that the delay has “nothing to do with Sim not having control” and should not be interpreted as a sign of internal disagreement or mistrust.
Control of Party Structure
While the APC chairman’s comments were meant to calm tensions, they also effectively confirmed that Governor Fubara is not currently in charge of the APC’s party structure in Rivers State. In Nigeria’s political landscape, control of party structures is often crucial, as it determines who wields influence over candidate selection, grassroots mobilisation, and internal decision-making.
For many politicians who defect to a new party—especially sitting governors—it is usually expected that they will, sooner or later, assume leadership of the party structure in their state. This expectation has fueled speculation that Fubara’s position within the APC may be weaker than initially assumed.
Nonetheless, Professor Yilwatda was careful to frame the situation as orderly and consensual rather than contentious. He reiterated that internal party arrangements are often guided by strategy and timing, not personal rivalry.
“The party is one,” he said, adding that disagreements, when they arise, are managed internally without public confrontation.
Political Implications in Rivers State
Rivers State remains one of Nigeria’s most politically significant states, with a long history of intense political competition and high-stakes power struggles. Governor Fubara’s defection to the APC was widely seen as a major political development, capable of reshaping the balance of power ahead of future elections.
However, the revelation that he does not yet control the APC’s structure in the state raises questions about how smoothly his integration into the party will proceed. Analysts note that until a formal reception is held and party leadership roles are clearly defined, uncertainty may persist among party members and supporters.
Despite this, the APC leadership appears keen to project unity and patience, signalling that the party is playing a long game rather than rushing decisions that could trigger internal friction.
No Crisis, APC Insists
Professor Yilwatda repeatedly emphasised that there is no crisis in the Rivers APC, dismissing narratives of discontent as exaggerated or unfounded. He suggested that the governor’s calm disposition on the matter reflects a shared understanding between him and the party leadership.
“The governor understands the process,” he said. “If there was a problem, he would have raised it. He has not.”
This assertion aligns with the APC’s broader strategy of presenting itself as a disciplined and orderly party, especially at a time when defections from opposition parties are reshaping Nigeria’s political terrain.
What Next for Fubara?
While no specific date was announced for Governor Fubara’s official reception into the APC, the national chairman’s comments indicate that it is only a matter of time. Once Ramadan-related activities in the North are concluded, attention is expected to shift to the South, paving the way for formal events welcoming southern governors who have defected to the party.
For now, Governor Fubara appears content to wait, at least publicly, as the APC leadership manages its internal scheduling and strategic priorities.
As the political calendar advances, observers will be watching closely to see how and when the Rivers State governor is fully integrated into the APC’s power structure—and what that will mean for the party’s fortunes in one of Nigeria’s most politically influential states.
