Fayose Challenges Fubara’s APC Leadership Claim, Says Tinubu Won’t Sacrifice Wike

Fayose Challenges Fubara’s APC Leadership Claim, Says Tinubu Won’t Sacrifice Wike

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has questioned the legitimacy of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s claim to political leadership in Rivers State, particularly his declaration as “001” in the All Progressives Congress (APC) membership register. Fayose argued that true political authority in any state is rooted in the influence of national party leaders, citing President Bola Tinubu as the ultimate authority in Lagos State.

Speaking on Arise TV on January 13, 2026, Fayose drew parallels with Lagos, insisting that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu cannot claim full political leadership in the state, which, he said, belongs to President Tinubu. On the Rivers political crisis, Fayose asserted that the President would not abandon FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for Governor Fubara, noting Wike’s continued national relevance and ability to deliver electoral victories.

Fayose also described the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State as a political lifeline for Fubara, arguing that without it, the governor would have faced imminent impeachment. He suggested Fubara’s recent trips to seek presidential intervention reflect political arrogance and an inability to navigate state politics independently.

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The comments drew swift reactions from Rivers APC factional chairman, Chief Emeka Beke, and political strategist Mr. Chizy Enyi, who urged Fayose to focus on his relationship with Wike rather than interfere in Rivers politics. Both stressed that Fubara, as governor, is the political leader in Rivers State, while Wike, as a national figure, should focus on broader leadership roles.

Meanwhile, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) dismissed Wike’s claim that parties nationwide were aligning under his so-called “rainbow coalition” to support President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election. IPAC described the assertion as misleading and unfounded, emphasising that political parties act independently in determining alliances and electoral strategies, including potential support for Governor Fubara’s re-election.

Fubara, who defected from the PDP to APC in December 2025, had publicly declared himself “001” in the APC membership register during the Rivers Airport Bypass Project flag-off, promising to ensure a smooth 2027 re-election process for President Tinubu in Rivers State. Wike, however, rejected the notion of a statewide “001” position, insisting that leadership in the party is determined at ward and local government levels.

The renewed feud between Wike and Fubara escalated last week when 26 of the 32 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, loyal to Wike, initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara. The move has generated mixed reactions, with groups including PANDEF, Rivers APC, and PDP urging the legislators to halt the process.

Fayose, while weighing in on broader PDP internal crises, blamed the party’s divisions on self-inflicted conflicts rather than President Tinubu or external forces. He emphasised that genuine leadership requires humility, consensus-building, and clear national focus.

Fayose Challenges Fubara’s APC Leadership Claim, Says Tinubu Won’t Sacrifice Wike