Fresh details have emerged on the political calculations that led to Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara losing the support of President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in his prolonged face-off with Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
- +How Fubara lost Tinubu, APC backing in Rivers power battle
Multiple APC sources familiar with reconciliation efforts in the state told BusinessDay on Sunday that the governor allegedly fell out with the Presidency and party leaders after failing to adhere to terms reached during previous peace negotiations.
Multiple APC sources familiar with reconciliation efforts in the state told BusinessDay on Sunday that the governor allegedly fell out with the Presidency and party leaders after failing to adhere to terms reached during previous peace negotiations.
According to party insiders, the APC leadership withheld an official reception for Fubara after his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in December 2025 because he lacked the backing of Wike, who was said to have retained control of the Rivers political structure.
Sources claimed Tinubu repeatedly intervened to save Fubara from impeachment plots and advised him to focus on governance while leaving party politics to Wike.
It was gathered that part of the truce reached during the crisis was that Fubara would not seek a second term in 2027.
BusinessDay reports that the governor was denied clearance by the APC governorship screening committee, led by Nentave Yilwatda, the national chairman of the party, forcing his withdrawal from the race.
Party insiders described the withdrawal as a “face-saving” move after disqualification.
Meanwhile, several South-South groups and Ijaw leaders have criticised Fubara’s withdrawal, describing it as disappointing and a betrayal of supporters who stood by him throughout the political crisis in Rivers State.
