Fubara’s Brief Appearance Before APC Panel Sparks Speculation

Political tension surrounding Rivers State politics resurfaced in Abuja on Sunday as Governor Siminalayi Fubara appeared before the screening panel of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Fubara spent less than 10 minutes at the screening venue, fuelling speculation over what transpired during the exercise. He arrived at about 3:15 p.m. and departed roughly 10 minutes later.

The Rivers governor declined to speak with journalists as he exited the venue. Responding to questions from reporters, he simply said: “No comment.”

Sources at the venue said the governor appeared unsettled as he left the meeting.

The APC screening was held at the Plateau State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, where Fubara arrived quietly in an unmarked Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV).

APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, who also serves as secretary of the screening panel, declined to provide details about Fubara’s appearance before the committee.

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

Asked specifically about Fubara’s screening outcome, he said the panel would release its report after concluding the exercise.

“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 AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq had earlier missed the initial screening sessions conducted on Friday and Saturday.

APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda had confirmed their absence on Saturday, explaining that both governors sought permission and were expected to appear before the panel later.

According to party sources, AbdulRazaq was away on an official trip with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to France, Kenya and Rwanda.

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

Those screened included Tonye Cole, former Rivers Commissioner for Works George-Kelly Alabo, and House of Representatives Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.

Observers view Sunday’s development as another chapter in the prolonged political dispute between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. Party insiders believe the circumstances surrounding the governor’s brief appearance before the panel may be linked to the ongoing power struggle in Rivers State.