The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has clarified that the Governor of Rivers, Siminalayi Fubara, is the leader of the party in the state.
Obviously responding to a statement credited to the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, Yilwatda made the clarification on Friday night while speaking on Channels Television’s news and current affairs programme, Hard Copy.
Wike had stated that there was no position as 001 or leader of the party.
According to the APC National Chairman, the position is clearly provided for in the APC Constitution, which recognizes governors of party-controlled states as leaders of the party in their respective states without exception.
“In all the states, we have the state governors that lead the party in their respective states,” he said.
He, however, emphasized that governors are encouraged to carry all stakeholders along, a commitment Governor Fubara has already made and is already demonstrating in Rivers State.
“At the same time, we tell the governors who have leaders at the national level to respect inclusion,” he added.
On the issue of Governor Fubara’s second-term bid, Yilwatda stated that the APC would support and work for the governor’s re-election if he emerges as the party’s candidate through the primary process, a process that can only be determined by duly accredited party delegates.
“If Siminalayi emerges as the candidate of the APC in Rivers State, I will stand by him,” he said.
The APC National Chairman also downplayed the visible interest of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory in the affairs of the party in Rivers State, noting that the minister is not a member of the APC. He said discussions concerning non-members of the party are unnecessary.