This development comes amid Governor Fubara’s prolonged political rift with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike. Bwala emphasised that Wike is not a member of the APC, as he belongs to a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, has stated that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is the recognised leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State.
This development comes amid Governor Fubara’s prolonged political rift with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike. Bwala emphasised that Wike is not a member of the APC, as he belongs to a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Bwala made the clarification on Thursday during Channels Television’s Hard Copy programme, amid the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State that has culminated in the initiation of impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“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 APC, so he cannot speak for the APC,” Bwala said.
He added that while Wike may retain influence within the PDP in Rivers State, he has no authority within 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,” he stated.
Bwala said President Tinubu is committed to the rule of law and respects internal party processes, noting that the President supports the position taken by the APC leadership on the Rivers situation.
“The President believes in the rule of law and rule-based practice. With respect to party affairs, what the national chairman said is the position the President sticks to because he respects party procedure,” he said.
Addressing the impeachment attempts against Governor Fubara, Bwala said the party’s stance is clear and that the governor must be “allowed to govern without interference.”
“There have been orders of the court that stopped impeachment. The party is clear. Nobody should stop Fubara from governing the state,” he said.
The presidential aide also clarified that Wike’s position in government should not be confused with party membership, describing the FCT Minister as serving the federal government rather than the APC as a political party.
He dismissed claims that Wike enjoys undue influence within the administration, saying that President Tinubu rewards performance but not at the expense of national interest.
“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.
Bwala said the dispute between Wike and Fubara has been settled by the party’s recognition of the governor as APC leader in Rivers State, urging all parties to respect due process and constitutional governance.
Governor Fubara defected from the PDP to the APC in December 2025 and has been endorsed by the APC for a second term in the 2027 elections.
Wike, despite serving as FCT Minister under an APC-led government, has not joined the APC.
The leadership of the APC maintains that he has no official standing in the party and works for the federal government, not the APC.