A visibly agitated Governor Siminalayi Fubara stormed out of the APC screening room on Sunday in Abuja, refusing to engage with journalists after a brief 20-minute appearance.
Having missed the initial screening for incumbents on Saturday, Fubara’s late arrival and stony silence underscored the escalating tension surrounding his reelection bid.
The Governor’s “no comment” response to the press highlights the growing friction with his former mentor, Nyesom Wike.
The political stakes are high; rumours are swirling that Wike intends to replace Fubara with Hon. Kingsley Chinda, the very first candidate to be screened by the committee just 24 hours prior, reports Persecondnews.
Following the session, APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru clarified that the screening process remains ongoing.
Downplaying inquiries regarding Governor Fubara’s specific status, Basiru remarked, “I don’t know what you mean by ‘screened.’
Anyone appearing before the committee is simply undergoing a mandatory step in the process.”
He added that the committee’s final report would only be compiled once all aspirants had been seen, noting that no such document exists yet.
This follows comments made on Saturday by APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, who defended Fubara’s earlier absence as being due to official state duties.
Yilwatda cautioned the media against focusing solely on the Rivers State Governor, pointing out that the governors of Kwara and Ebonyi were also away on state business.
He emphasized the party’s flexibility, stating that incumbents could be screened whenever their schedules permitted.
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