Nentawe Yilwatda, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, has said Siminalayi Fubara voluntarily withdrew from the party’s governorship primary after successfully passing the screening process.
Fubara had on May 20 announced his decision to step down from the APC governorship race, stating that he acted out of conviction and in the interest of peace and unity in Rivers State.
In a personally signed statement at the time, the governor said he remained committed to supporting whoever eventually emerged as the party’s candidate. Before his withdrawal, Fubara and Kingsley Chinda, an ally of Nyesom Wike, had both undergone screening for the APC gubernatorial primary.
Fubara’s appearance after the screening exercise had sparked speculation after he declined to address journalists, with reports suggesting he may have been disqualified. The speculation intensified after several associates loyal to the governor were reportedly disqualified during screenings for the Rivers State House of Assembly primaries, while aspirants aligned with Wike were cleared.
However, speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, Yilwatda dismissed claims that the governor failed screening. “He bought the forms, came for screening, passed the screening, and we were waiting for the primaries before he opted to step down,” the APC chairman said.
Yilwatda also rejected suggestions that Wike may have influenced Fubara’s decision, insisting that the FCT minister is not a member of the APC and therefore could not dictate the party’s internal processes. The development comes amid continuing political tensions and shifting alliances in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections.