Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara walked out of the All Progressives Congress (APC) screening hall at the Plateau Governor’s Lodge in Abuja on Sunday after spending about 20 minutes at the venue, and declined to speak to waiting journalists.
Fubara, who was absent from Saturday’s screening of incumbent governors, arrived at the lodge at about 3 p.m. He left the room shortly after and, when approached by reporters, said only: “No comment.”
Traditionally, committee members escort governors seeking re-election or senatorial tickets out of the venue as a mark of respect. Committee members did not escort Fubara; they reportedly left the room six minutes after his departure. Sunday’s session was presided over by APC Deputy National Chairman (North) Ali Dalori.
Fubara has been locked in a long-running political dispute with his erstwhile ally, Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike. Allegations have emerged that Wike is seeking to replace Fubara with Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Kingsley Chinda. Chinda was reportedly among the first aspirants screened on Saturday. There are also unconfirmed reports that one of Wike’s sons is being positioned to contest Chinda’s seat in the House.
Speaking after the session, APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru said the screening process was ongoing and that the committee had not yet produced a report. “Anyone who appears before the committee does so as a necessary part of the process. Once the committee has seen everyone, they will sit down and produce a report,” he said.
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On Saturday, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda said Fubara’s initial absence was due to official government duties and cautioned against singling him out, noting that the governors of Kwara and Ebonyi were also absent for state exigencies. “Why single one person out? Three governors have not appeared yet, and they all have their reasons. They are chief executives with urgent issues to attend to,” Yilwatda said, adding that the party would accommodate screening at governors’ convenience.
