“Why we’re delaying Fubara’s official welcoming” – APC Chairman

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda has debunked claims that the crisis between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, is the reason for the delay in the former’s official welcome by the party.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Yilwatda explained why Fubara is yet to receive an official welcome into the APC.

Recall that on December 12, 2025, the Rivers State governor formally dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling APC.

The governor’s move to the APC follows a barrage of crises between him and Wike, as well as multiple threats of impeachment by lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Since joining the ruling party, the governor is yet to be officially inaugurated into the APC – a custom within the party where new entrants, especially governors and key leaders, are welcomed in a grand style.

However, speaking on this, Yilwatda said the delay is due to a strategic plan to ensure that all regional sensitivities are properly managed.

Giving instances, Yilwatda said some of the party’s new entrants from the northern region will be receiving immediate attention due to the forthcoming Ramadan season and fasting.

“We have Kano we’re preparing for. When you’re dealing in politics, we opted to clear the north first because Ramadan is coming and most of the people in the north are Muslims.

“We have a lot of communities in the north that are sensitive to the issue of Ramadan. So we pleaded that we clear the northern governors who have to come to the APC first before going to the south, where we don’t have Ramadan as an issue,” Yilwatda said.

He also emphasised that the delay in Fubara’s case is not due to a battle for authority in the state between the governor and Wike as claimed by many.

“So these are strategies and also acknowledge the sensitivity of each community. That’s the reason we took that decision. It has nothing to do with Siminalayi Fubara not having authority,” the national chairman added.