The national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has stated that Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State, is the leader of the party in the state.
Yilwatda made the remark while speaking on Hard Copy, a programme on Channels Television.
He explained that the APC recognises sitting governors as party leaders at the state level, while stressing the need for inclusiveness and warning against sidelining other party members.
“You being the leader doesn’t mean that you now disenfranchise people who are within the state, so we give that room for inclusion,” he said.
The APC chairman noted that his responsibility at the national level is to coordinate party activities across states rather than impose leadership decisions.
When asked directly whether Siminalayi Fubara leads the APC in Rivers State, Yilwatda responded in the affirmative.
“Yes, but he will need to coordinate every other person in the state,” he added.
On the possibility of supporting Fubara for a second term if he seeks re-election, Yilwatda said the party’s candidates would only be determined through primaries.
“I’m not the person to choose people in the primary election; everybody undergoes primary election,” he said.
“If Siminalayi emerges as a candidate for APC in Rivers state, I’ll stand by him, but if any other person emerges as the candidate of APC in Rivers state, I’ll go with him.”
He emphasised that party backing is based strictly on the outcome of primaries, not personal preferences.
“When Sim picks a form, he is an aspirant. If he emerges as the candidate, I’ll support him; if he loses, I’ll sympathise with him and go with the person that wins the primary election,” he said.
Asked about the political influence of Nyesom Wike in Rivers State, Yilwatda declined to comment.
“I’m the chairman of APC, not chairman of all political parties in Nigeria,” he stated.