APC can’t guarantee Fubara 2027 ticket – Yilwatda

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda has affirmed that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is not guaranteed the 2027 governorship ticket of the party.

Yilwatda said Fubara who is the current leader of the party in Rivers like any other aspirant must undergo the standard party primary process to emerge the flagbearer of the party for the 2027 governorship election in Rivers.

“We did primaries in Ekiti State and the governor contested with others before he emerged as the APC candidate. The same rule applies to every state — even Governor Fubara will have to go through the normal process if he seeks the ticket,” he noted.

Yilwatda who spoke on Channels Television’s ‘Hard Copy’ programme, affirmed that that it is the practice of the APC to recognise serving governors as leaders of the party in their respective states.

But APC National Chairman said Fubara must work with other stakeholders to ensure inclusion and effective coordination within the party.

“In all the states, we have the state governors lead the parties in their respective states. In APC, we give them that privilege, but we also ask the governors to ensure inclusion — to coordinate and carry everyone along.”

He, however dismissed the claim that the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT will will be consulted on the affairls of APC in Rivers State. The APC National Chairman affirmed that Wike remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He added that the party will discuss issues related to APC with only Fubara who is a member of the party and not Wike.

“Wike is in PDP. Allow me to discuss members of my party, not people who are not members. I am chairman of the APC, not chairman of all political parties in Nigeria.”

Fubara had declared himself as the ‘001 of APC’ after he defected to the ruling party some weeks ago.

But Wike had during his recent outings in Rivers dismissed the claim. The Minister declared that Fubara cannot declare himself leader of the party because he is a governor

The Minister had also indicated that he may not support return of Fubara who was his successor as Rivers governor to power in 2027.

“We will not make the same mistake again at the state level in 2027, but we will talk about it later when the time comes,” Wike said.