VICE PRESIDENT SHETTIMA CLARIFIES: GOVERNOR FUBARA IS APC LEADER IN RIVERS STATE

Vice President Kashim Shettima has delivered a clear and direct message to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, stating unequivocally that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State. The Vice President made the clarification while attending an APC solidarity event in Enugu State, where he addressed ongoing debates over party leadership structures across the country.

Shettima emphasized his constitutional and party position as Vice President of Nigeria and the second-highest-ranking official within the APC, noting that party leadership at the state level follows a consistent and well-established principle. According to him, the sitting governor of a state is the leader of the APC in that state.

To illustrate his point, Shettima cited several examples. In Borno State, despite his position as Vice President, Governor Babagana Zulum remains the APC leader. In Akwa Ibom State, even with Godswill Akpabio serving as Senate President and ranking third in the national hierarchy, Governor Umo Eno leads the party in the state. In Kaduna State, Governor Uba Sani heads the APC structure. In Enugu State, Governor Peter Mbah is recognized as the party leader.

He stressed that the same rule unambiguously applies to Rivers State. “The sitting governor of a state is the leader of the APC in that state. This principle applies in Rivers State, where Governor Siminalayi Fubara holds leadership of the APC,” Shettima stated.

The Vice President advised all party stakeholders, including Wike, to take note of this clarification to avoid unnecessary political tension and internal complications.