Daniel Bwala, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, has said that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is the recognised leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, noting that former governor Nyesom Wike is not part of the ruling party.
Bwala spoke on Channels Television’s Hard Copy on Thursday amid a political standoff in the state, which has seen the Rivers Assembly begin impeachment proceedings against Fubara.
He said the national chairman’s position is clear on the matter.
Read also: Further setback on impeachment drive: Court fails to continue with case, adjourns indefinitely
According to him, Fubara, not Wike, leads the APC in Rivers.
“I agree with the point highlighted by the national chairman [Nentawe Yilwatda] that in Rivers State, Governor Fubara is the leader of the APC in Rivers State. Wike is not a member of the APC, so he cannot speak for the APC.
“He may be the leader of the PDP in Rivers State because he was a former governor and they do not have a governor at the moment, but in APC, the leader of the party in Rivers State is Governor Fubara”.
Bwala further stressed that Tinubu supports internal party processes and the rule of law, backing the APC leadership’s stance on the matter.
On the impeachment moves against Fubara, the aide said the party expects that the governor should be allowed to carry out his duties without obstruction.
On the impeachment moves against Fubara, the aide said the party expects that the governor should be allowed to carry out his duties without obstruction.
“There have been orders of the court that stopped impeachment. The party is clear. Nobody should stop Fubara from governing the state,” he said.
Bwala also clarified that Wike’s role as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory does not confer party authority, stating that Wike was serving the federal government and not the APC.
“The President believes in compensating people, but not at the expense of the interest of Nigeria. He will give you latitude and privilege, but not at the expense of what is right,” Bwala said.
Read also: Court pits Fubara against lawmakers after halting impeachment
He called on all stakeholders to respect constitutional processes, noting that the APC’s recognition of Fubara as party leader has settled the dispute within the state.
After returning from a six-month suspension, the Rivers Governor defected to the APC in December 2025 after leaving the PDP and has already been endorsed for a second term in 2027.
In the last few days, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
Chibuzor Amadi, Chief Judge of the state, on Thursday said he could not set up a panel to probe the governor, because of a subsisting court order stopping the impeachment process.
