National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Yilwatda, has described Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s withdrawal from the party’s governorship primary in Rivers as a personal decision, insisting that the APC followed all laid-down procedures during the exercise.
Yilwatda made the clarification on Monday during an appearance on Channels Television on Politics Today, where he explained that Fubara voluntarily stepped down after successfully completing the party’s screening process.
“He pulled out; he stepped down. It is personal to him. He bought the forms, came for screening, passed the screening, and we were waiting for the primaries before he opted to step down,” Yilwatda said.
The APC chairman also dismissed claims that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, influenced the outcome of the Rivers APC governorship primary.
“Wike is not in our party. He is in PDP,” he stated while responding to allegations that the former Rivers governor played a role in Fubara’s withdrawal from the contest.
The controversy followed the release of disqualification lists by the APC after the completion of screening exercises for legislative and governorship aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Addressing concerns surrounding the disqualification of some aspirants, Yilwatda maintained that the party strictly adhered to its constitutional guidelines, especially regarding financial membership obligations.
“Our party guidelines state that before you are qualified to contest for any position, you must be a financial member of the party.
”The constitution of the party says you must have evidence of paying your dues before you can contest, be voted for, or be nominated,” he explained.
“If somebody has not paid his dues and has no proof of being a financial member, he stands disqualified. You must be a member of APC,” he added.
Yilwatda also reacted to questions surrounding the emergence of Kingsley Chinda as the APC governorship candidate in Rivers State despite previously serving as Minority Leader in the House of Representatives under another political platform.
“He defected. Our party has no waiver system. Even if you decamp to our party today, you can enjoy equal rights with every other member once you are properly registered,” the APC chairman said.
Fubara had earlier announced his withdrawal from the APC governorship primary, saying his decision was aimed at promoting peace, stability, and unity in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
His withdrawal generated political debate due to his former political relationship with Wike, who remains a major figure in Rivers politics.
Another aspirant, Tonye Cole, also stepped down from the APC governorship race, pledging loyalty to party decisions.
Fubara, on his part, promised to support whoever eventually emerged as the APC candidate in the state.
Following the conclusion of the primary process, Chinda emerged as the party’s governorship flag bearer in the oil-rich South-South state.
