Rivers primary: Fubara’s withdrawal was personal, not forced – Yilwatda

By Lawrence Agbo

APC chairman Nentawe Yilwatda has said the decision by Siminalayi Fubara to withdraw from the Rivers State APC governorship primary was entirely voluntary and not the result of pressure from any political figure.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Yilwatda explained that Fubara had fully participated in the APC nomination process before opting out of the race ahead of the primary election.

“He pulled out; he stepped down. It is personal to him. He bought the forms, came for screening, passed the screening, and we were waiting for the primaries before he opted to step down,” the APC chairman stated.

Yilwatda also dismissed claims that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, influenced the outcome of the Rivers APC governorship contest.

“Wike is not in our party. He is in PDP,” he said while responding to questions over allegations that the former Rivers governor played a role in the process.

The APC chairman maintained that the party followed its constitutional guidelines throughout the screening and primary exercise.

According to him, aspirants are required to meet strict membership conditions, including proof of financial commitment to the party, before they can qualify to contest.

“Our party guidelines state that before you are qualified to contest for any position, you must be a financial member of the party,” he said.

Yilwatda further explained that the APC does not operate a waiver system for defectors, insisting that anyone joining the party enjoys equal rights once properly registered.

His comments followed the emergence of Kingsley Chinda as the APC governorship candidate in Rivers State after Fubara and another aspirant, Tonye Cole, withdrew from the race.

Fubara had earlier said his decision to step down was aimed at promoting peace, unity and stability in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 governorship election.