Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, faced a setback in his re-election bid on Sunday after walking out of the All Progressives Congress (APC) screening session in Abuja.
Fubara, who had been noticeably absent during the screening of other incumbent governors on Saturday, arrived at the Plateau Governor’s Lodge at about 3 pm on Sunday, only to storm out of the screening room after just 20 minutes.
According to reports, Fubara, visibly angry, refused to speak to journalists who had waited for hours outside the screening venue. When approached by reporters asking about the screening process, a visibly distressed Fubara simply responded with, “No comment.”
In a stark contrast to the usual protocol, where committee members traditionally escort governors seeking re-election or senatorial tickets out of the venue, Fubara’s departure was met with silence from the committee. It was reported that the committee members left the room six minutes after Fubara walked out.
Sunday’s screening session was overseen by APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Dalori.
Fubara has been embroiled in a tense political conflict with his estranged political godfather, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. Allegations have surfaced that Wike is pushing to replace Fubara with the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, who was reportedly the first aspirant to be screened on Saturday for the APC governorship ticket.
Speaking to journalists after the session, APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, explained that the screening process was ongoing. When asked specifically about Fubara’s screening, he responded, “I don’t know what you mean by ‘screened.’ Anyone who appears before the committee does so as a necessary part of the process. Once the committee has seen everyone, they will sit down and produce a report. As of now, there is no report from the screening committee.”
On Saturday, APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, had addressed Fubara’s initial absence, attributing it to official government duties. He urged the media not to single out Fubara, stating that governors from Kwara and Ebonyi were also absent due to state matters. Yilwatda reassured that the party remained flexible and that governors could be screened at their convenience once their schedules allowed.
