The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has provided formal clarification regarding the party’s position on the protracted political friction between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Appearing on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ on Tuesday, Professor Yilwatda sought to delineate the boundaries of party responsibility, asserting that the personal dispute between the two figures largely falls outside his official jurisdiction.
“When it comes to the issue between Wike and Fubara, it is not within my purview as the National Chairman of the APC,” the Professor stated. “Mr Wike remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), whereas Governor Fubara is aligned with the APC.”
The Chairman’s remarks underscore a complex political landscape in Rivers State, where party loyalties and administrative friction have frequently overlapped. However, Professor Yilwatda was firm in distinguishing between personal rivalries and legislative proceedings.
Addressing the looming threat of impeachment proceedings within the Rivers State House of Assembly, the Chairman noted that this matter specifically concerns the APC, which maintains leadership of the state’s legislature.
“The issue of impeachment is not about Mr Wike at this juncture; it concerns APC members of the House of Assembly. That is a matter I can address,” he explained. “It is an internal party affair, and we possess the requisite mechanisms within the APC to resolve such complexities.”
Professor Yilwatda further appealed for a measured approach to the crisis, stressing the importance of political maturity and the use of internal mediation over public confrontation. He maintained that the party preferred to conduct its reconciliatory efforts away from the glare of the media.
“We do not bring these discussions into the public domain. Such matters are best resolved through in-house activities that demand maturity to navigate. Mr Wike does not constitute a problem for the APC,” the Chairman concluded.
The statement is seen by analysts as an attempt to insulate the national party leadership from the volatile local politics of Rivers State while asserting authority over the party’s legislative caucus.
