The presidency has affirmed that the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, is the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, is not a member of the party.
Naijaonpoint reports that the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy and Communication, Daniel Bwala, made this known during an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Hard Copy’ programme.
Bwala stated that the APC’s structure in Rivers State is clear, stressing that Fubara must be allowed to carry out his duties without undue interference.
Tinubu’s aide emphasised that Wike, a former Governor of Rivers State, may be regarded as the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, but is not an APC member and cannot speak on its behalf.
According to Bwala, Tinubu strongly believes in the rule of law and democratic best practices, noting that the APC respects internal party procedures.
He said, “I agree with the point highlighted by the National Chairman that in Rivers State, Governor Fubara is the leader of the APC. Wike is not a member of the APC, so he cannot speak for the party.
“He may be regarded as a leader within the PDP in Rivers State, having been a former governor, but the APC leader in the state is Governor Fubara.
“What the National Chairman said is what the party stands by because he respects party procedures. The President believes in the rule of law and due process, and the party will always respect that.”
Speaking on the ongoing political tension in Rivers State, Bwala said the impeachment proceedings must be handled within the framework of the law.
He added, “When you ask who is the leader of the party, the answer is the governor.
“There are court orders stopping the impeachment, and the party is clear: nobody should stop Governor Fubara from governing Rivers State.”