Tension surrounded the APC governorship screening in Abuja on Sunday as Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, briefly appeared before the party’s screening panel amid the lingering political crisis in the state.
Fubara arrived at the Plateau State Governor’s Lodge, where the screening was held, around 3:15 p.m. in an unmarked SUV and left barely 10 minutes later, fueling speculations about what transpired behind closed doors.
The governor avoided questions from journalists waiting outside the venue, responding only with a terse “no comment” before driving off.
Witnesses at the venue said Fubara appeared unsettled as he exited the meeting.
APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, who doubles as secretary of the screening panel, also declined to provide details about the Rivers governor’s appearance before the committee.
“Everybody must appear before the screening committee; of course, it is necessary as part of the process,” Basiru said.
Pressed further on the outcome of Fubara’s screening, he maintained that the panel would release its report after concluding the exercise for all aspirants.
“There is no report yet,” he added.
Fubara and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq had earlier missed the initial screening exercise conducted on Friday and Saturday.
APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, had explained on Saturday that both governors obtained permission to be absent and would appear before the panel later.
While AbdulRazaq was said to be accompanying President Bola Tinubu on an official trip to France, Kenya and Rwanda, Fubara’s delayed appearance continued to generate political interest because of the deepening power struggle in Rivers State.
The Rivers governor’s screening is widely viewed as another chapter in the ongoing rift between him and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Meanwhile, three other APC governorship aspirants from Rivers State were screened on Saturday by the Dr. Ben Nwoye-led committee at the Kaduna State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja.
They include the party’s 2023 governorship candidate, Tonye Cole; former state Commissioner for Works, Alabo George-Kelly; and House of Representatives Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, who recently defected from the PDP to the APC.
Political observers believe Sunday’s drama at the screening venue may not be unconnected with the wider battle for control of Rivers State politics ahead of the 2027 elections.
