“APC Screened, Cleared Fubara For Governorship Primaries; He Withdrew Singlehandedly” – Chairman Yilwatda

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has dismissed claims that Governor Siminalayi Fubara was forced out of the party’s governorship primary in Rivers State.

Daily Trust reports that Fubara is the only APC governor who withdrew from the primaries despite being eligible for a second term

Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Yilwatda said Fubara fully participated in the APC nomination process by purchasing the party’s expression of interest and nomination forms, appearing before the screening committee and securing clearance ahead of the primary election.

According to him, the Rivers governor later chose to withdraw from the contest on personal grounds before the commencement of the primary.

“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”, Yilwatda said.

The APC chairman also rejected suggestions that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, influenced developments surrounding the Rivers governorship contest.

Yilwatda maintained that Wike was not a member of the ruling party and therefore could not have dictated its internal processes.

“Wike is not in our party. He is in PDP,” he stated.