Fubara and Wike at war
The political future of Siminalayi Fubara suffered another potential setback on Sunday after the Rivers State governor reportedly walked out of an APC screening exercise in Abuja under tense circumstances.
Fubara, who is seeking re-election amid his prolonged political feud with Nyesom Wike, reportedly spent less than 20 minutes before the screening panel before leaving visibly displeased and refusing to comment on what transpired.
The screening exercise, organised by the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 elections, has attracted governors, senators, and other high-profile aspirants seeking the party’s endorsement. Unlike several other governors who reportedly received warm receptions and ceremonial recognition after their appearances, Fubara’s outing appeared tense and awkward.
According to reports, the Rivers governor arrived quietly at the venue in Abuja and proceeded into the committee room where aspirants were being interviewed. Shortly afterward, he emerged looking upset and walked straight out of the premises without interacting with party supporters or officials gathered outside.
Journalists who had waited to interview him attempted to ask questions about the outcome of the exercise, but the governor declined to provide details.
When asked how the screening went, Fubara simply responded, “No comment,” before entering his vehicle and leaving the venue.
Observers at the screening centre noted that his experience differed sharply from that of other aspirants who had appeared before the committee in recent days. Several governors and senior party figures had reportedly been publicly escorted out by members of the panel, a gesture interpreted as symbolic approval and respect.
In Fubara’s case, however, no member of the committee accompanied him out after the session, further fuelling speculation that tensions may have arisen behind closed doors.
The development immediately triggered fresh political discussions within party circles, especially given the lingering crisis surrounding the governor’s political future and his strained relationship with Wike.
Attempts to obtain clarification from party officials produced little certainty.
Speaking after the session, APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru avoided directly confirming whether Fubara had successfully passed the screening process.
“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,” Basiru stated.
His remarks did little to calm speculation, with many analysts interpreting the carefully worded response as a sign that the committee had not yet reached a consensus on the governor’s fate.
The latest episode comes amid the long-running political rivalry between Fubara and Wike, a conflict that has dominated politics in Rivers State for months and significantly reshaped the state’s political landscape.
Wike, who previously served as governor of Rivers State before becoming Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was once regarded as Fubara’s political mentor and strongest supporter during the governorship election.
However, relations between both men deteriorated shortly after Fubara assumed office, leading to a fierce struggle over control of the political structure in the state.
The crisis eventually engulfed the Rivers State House of Assembly, splitting lawmakers into rival factions loyal to either the governor or the former governor. The dispute sparked repeated political confrontations, protests, legal battles, and impeachment threats against Fubara.
At the height of the crisis, President Tinubu reportedly intervened to broker peace between both camps and stabilise governance in the state.
Although temporary reconciliation efforts followed the intervention, tensions between the two camps have continued to simmer.
Wike has repeatedly accused Fubara of failing to honour agreements reached during the reconciliation process and prioritising political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 elections.
In one of his recent remarks, Wike criticised the governor, claiming Fubara had previously indicated he was no longer interested in seeking another term after Tinubu intervened in the impeachment crisis.
“President Tinubu intervened in the impeachment proceedings and the governor agreed to peace, even saying he was no longer interested in contesting again. Now, after that intervention, you are playing smart on what was agreed,” Wike reportedly said.
The former Rivers governor is also widely believed to retain strong influence within the APC and broader national political structures, leading to speculation that his position could significantly affect Fubara’s political future.
Political analysts believe Sunday’s tense screening session may reflect deeper divisions within the party regarding Fubara’s candidacy.
Some observers argue that the governor’s decision to seek re-election despite his dispute with Wike may have weakened his standing among influential blocs aligned with the party leadership.
Others, however, insist the controversy may simply stem from procedural disagreements rather than any final decision regarding his eligibility.
Despite the uncertainty, supporters of the Rivers governor remain confident that he will eventually secure the backing needed to contest for another term.
Several allies in Rivers State reportedly dismissed concerns surrounding the screening exercise, insisting that Fubara remains popular among residents because of his governance style and infrastructural projects.
Nevertheless, the visible tension surrounding the exercise has intensified political uncertainty in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections.
With the APC yet to release the final report of its screening committee, attention is now focused on whether the party leadership will clear Fubara for the governorship race or whether the latest development signals deeper complications for his re-election ambition.
For now, the governor’s abrupt exit from the screening venue and refusal to address the media have only deepened speculation surrounding one of Nigeria’s most closely watched political battles.
Fubara, who is seeking re-election amid his prolonged political feud with Nyesom Wike, reportedly spent less than 20 minutes before the screening panel before leaving visibly displeased and refusing to comment on what transpired.
The screening exercise, organised by the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 elections, has attracted governors, senators, and other high-profile aspirants seeking the party’s endorsement. Unlike several other governors who reportedly received warm receptions and ceremonial recognition after their appearances, Fubara’s outing appeared tense and awkward.
According to reports, the Rivers governor arrived quietly at the venue in Abuja and proceeded into the committee room where aspirants were being interviewed. Shortly afterward, he emerged looking upset and walked straight out of the premises without interacting with party supporters or officials gathered outside.
Journalists who had waited to interview him attempted to ask questions about the outcome of the exercise, but the governor declined to provide details.
When asked how the screening went, Fubara simply responded, “No comment,” before entering his vehicle and leaving the venue.
Observers at the screening centre noted that his experience differed sharply from that of other aspirants who had appeared before the committee in recent days. Several governors and senior party figures had reportedly been publicly escorted out by members of the panel, a gesture interpreted as symbolic approval and respect.
In Fubara’s case, however, no member of the committee accompanied him out after the session, further fuelling speculation that tensions may have arisen behind closed doors.
The development immediately triggered fresh political discussions within party circles, especially given the lingering crisis surrounding the governor’s political future and his strained relationship with Wike.
Attempts to obtain clarification from party officials produced little certainty.
Speaking after the session, APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru avoided directly confirming whether Fubara had successfully passed the screening process.
“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,” Basiru stated.
His remarks did little to calm speculation, with many analysts interpreting the carefully worded response as a sign that the committee had not yet reached a consensus on the governor’s fate.
The latest episode comes amid the long-running political rivalry between Fubara and Wike, a conflict that has dominated politics in Rivers State for months and significantly reshaped the state’s political landscape.
Wike, who previously served as governor of Rivers State before becoming Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was once regarded as Fubara’s political mentor and strongest supporter during the governorship election.
However, relations between both men deteriorated shortly after Fubara assumed office, leading to a fierce struggle over control of the political structure in the state.
The crisis eventually engulfed the Rivers State House of Assembly, splitting lawmakers into rival factions loyal to either the governor or the former governor. The dispute sparked repeated political confrontations, protests, legal battles, and impeachment threats against Fubara.
At the height of the crisis, President Tinubu reportedly intervened to broker peace between both camps and stabilise governance in the state.
Although temporary reconciliation efforts followed the intervention, tensions between the two camps have continued to simmer.
Wike has repeatedly accused Fubara of failing to honour agreements reached during the reconciliation process and prioritising political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 elections.
In one of his recent remarks, Wike criticised the governor, claiming Fubara had previously indicated he was no longer interested in seeking another term after Tinubu intervened in the impeachment crisis.
“President Tinubu intervened in the impeachment proceedings and the governor agreed to peace, even saying he was no longer interested in contesting again. Now, after that intervention, you are playing smart on what was agreed,” Wike reportedly said.
The former Rivers governor is also widely believed to retain strong influence within the APC and broader national political structures, leading to speculation that his position could significantly affect Fubara’s political future.
Political analysts believe Sunday’s tense screening session may reflect deeper divisions within the party regarding Fubara’s candidacy.
Some observers argue that the governor’s decision to seek re-election despite his dispute with Wike may have weakened his standing among influential blocs aligned with the party leadership.
Others, however, insist the controversy may simply stem from procedural disagreements rather than any final decision regarding his eligibility.
Despite the uncertainty, supporters of the Rivers governor remain confident that he will eventually secure the backing needed to contest for another term.
Several allies in Rivers State reportedly dismissed concerns surrounding the screening exercise, insisting that Fubara remains popular among residents because of his governance style and infrastructural projects.
Nevertheless, the visible tension surrounding the exercise has intensified political uncertainty in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections.
With the APC yet to release the final report of its screening committee, attention is now focused on whether the party leadership will clear Fubara for the governorship race or whether the latest development signals deeper complications for his re-election ambition.
For now, the governor’s abrupt exit from the screening venue and refusal to address the media have only deepened speculation surrounding one of Nigeria’s most closely watched political battles.
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