Fresh crisis signals as Fubara’s brief APC screening sparks speculation

The simmering political crisis in Rivers State took a dramatic turn in Abuja on Sunday as Governor Siminalayi Fubara made a brief and controversial appearance before the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship screening panel, sparking fresh speculation over his political future within the ruling party.

Fubara, whose rift with his predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has continued to dominate political discourse in Rivers State, reportedly spent less than 10 minutes before the screening committee.

The Rivers governor arrived quietly at the Plateau State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, the designated venue for the screening exercise, at about 3:15 p.m. in an unnumbered Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). Witnesses said he went straight into the meeting venue without speaking to party officials or journalists.

However, the meeting ended almost as quickly as it began.

At about 3:25 p.m., Fubara emerged from the venue looking visibly unsettled, according to observers present at the scene. His facial expression and hurried exit immediately fueled speculation that the screening session may not have gone smoothly.

Journalists who surrounded the governor in a bid to learn what transpired during the brief encounter were met with silence.

“No comments,” Fubara said curtly before entering his vehicle and leaving the premises.

The unusual brevity of the meeting immediately triggered questions among party members and political observers, with many wondering whether the governor was fully screened or if unresolved political issues overshadowed the process.

The APC National Secretary and secretary of the screening panel, Ajibola Basiru, also declined to shed light on the governor’s appearance before the committee.

Speaking with reporters after the sitting, Basiru insisted that every aspirant expected before the committee must undergo screening as part of the party’s procedures.

“Everybody must appear before the screening committee; of course, it is necessary as part of the process,” he stated.

When pressed further on Fubara’s fate and the outcome of his appearance, Basiru remained evasive.

“After the exercise, the screening committee will issue its report. When the committee has completed seeing everybody it is supposed to see, we will sit down and come up with reports. There is no report yet,” he added.

Fubara and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, were absent during the earlier rounds of screening conducted on Friday and Saturday, despite reports that several incumbent governors had already been cleared by the panel.

It was gathered that AbdulRazaq is currently part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s delegation on official visits to France, Kenya and Rwanda.

On Saturday, APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, confirmed the absence of the two governors, explaining that they had obtained permission to be away and would appear before the panel upon their return.

Meanwhile, the APC screening exercise in Rivers State has continued to attract widespread attention amid the lingering political battle within the state.

Three other aspirants seeking the APC governorship ticket in Rivers were screened on Saturday by the Dr. Ben Nwoye-led panel at the Kaduna State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja.

Among those screened were the APC’s 2023 governorship candidate in Rivers State, Tonye Cole, former Rivers State Commissioner for Works, George-Kelly Alabo, and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.

Political analysts believe the tension surrounding Fubara’s appearance before the screening panel is closely tied to the prolonged power struggle between the governor and Wike, a crisis that has sharply divided political structures in Rivers State.

Insiders within the party hinted that the events at the screening venue may be connected to ongoing negotiations and disagreements linked to the Rivers political crisis, although no official statement has been issued regarding what transpired behind closed doors.

The development has further heightened uncertainty within Rivers APC circles as party members and observers await the final report of the screening committee.