ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has stated that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, is the recognised leader of the party in the state.
Yilwatda made this known on Friday night during an appearance on Channels Television’s news and current affairs programme, hard copy.
He explained that the APC Constitution clearly provides for this arrangement, recognising governors of APC-controlled states as the party leaders in their respective states without exception.
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“In all the states, we have the state governors that lead the party in their respective states,” he said.
Yilwatda, however, stressed that governors are expected to promote inclusiveness by carrying all stakeholders along, noting that Governor Fubara has already shown commitment to this approach in Rivers State.
“At the same time, we tell the governors who have leaders at the national level to respect inclusion,” he added.
Speaking on Governor Fubara’s second-term ambition, the APC chairman said the party would back and work for his re-election if he emerges as the APC candidate through the party’s primary election, which he noted can only be decided by duly accredited delegates.
“If Siminalayi emerges as the candidate of the APC in Rivers State, I will stand by him,” he said.
Yilwatda also played down the perceived interest of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory in APC affairs in Rivers State, pointing out that the minister is not a member of the party and that discussions about non-members are unnecessary.
He said the clarification should put an end to controversies fuelled by political crisis entrepreneurs, many of whom he described as disgruntled individuals or opposition elements attempting to sow confusion and provoke needless debate in the state.