By Ayorinde Oluokun
Rivers Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has dismissed reports that he has defected from the All Progressives Party, APC to party following speculations that he has been denied the ticket to seek second term on the platform of the party.
Some reports on Wednesday had indicated that Fubara had defected to the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC after the APC denied him the 2027 governorship ticket.
But speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt the capital of Rivers State on Wednesday, Fubara dismissed the report, while asserting that he remains a member of APC.
He also warned against relying about speculations on the social media about his political future.
Fubara said: “I know that there have been a lot of drama on the social media; one story and another. I’m a member of APC. Nothing has changed.
“People should stop using whatever situation they got from social media or their own interpretation of any situation to present me wrongly.
“I have not gone anywhere. I’m still a member of APC and remain a member. Whatever happens, what is most important is supporting the overall interest of the party.”
Some stakeholders of the APC and political leaders in Rivers had purchased the APC Nomination and Expression of Interest forms for Fubara to seek re-election in 2027.
The Rivers State Governor had last Sunday appeared before the APC governorship screening committee chaired by National Chairman of the party, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda for incumbent governors seeking re-election and those aspiring to contest Senatorial seats in the 2027 general elections in Abuja and left less than 10 minutes later.
He refused to speak to journalists. When approached by journalists, Fubara simply said, “No comment.”
His hurried departure from the screening venue led to speculations that he was not screened by the Committee.
FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike who was instrumental to emergence of Fubara as governor in 2023 had earlier indicated that he will not support his second term ambition after they fell out politically.
Though the Minister still claimed to be a member of Peoples Democratic Party, his allies have taken over the control of the structure of APC in Rivers.
Meanwhile, the APC Committee has screened key allies of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike for the Rivers State 2027 governorship seat contest.
Wike allies screened for the Rivers 2027 governorship election are House of Representatives Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda and former Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly.
Key loyalists of the governor who obtained form to contest for the Rivers House of Assembly seats on the platform of APC have also been disqualified by the party.
Fubara is expected to know his fate when the APC screening committee releases its report.
