Siminalayi Fubara stirred fresh political controversy on Sunday after abruptly walking out of the All Progressives Congress screening session in Abuja ahead of the party’s governorship primary election.
Fubara, who was absent during the screening of other incumbent governors on Saturday, reportedly arrived at the Plateau Governor’s Lodge around 3 p.m. but left the screening venue less than 20 minutes later.
Witnesses said the Rivers governor appeared visibly upset as he exited the venue and declined to speak extensively with journalists waiting outside.
When approached by reporters, he simply responded, “No comment.”
In a development that further fueled speculation, members of the screening committee did not accompany him out of the venue, unlike the usual practice involving governors and other high-profile aspirants. Sources said committee members only emerged several minutes after his departure.
The screening exercise was overseen by APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Dalori.
Fubara’s appearance comes amid his prolonged political conflict with his former ally and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Political observers have speculated that Wike may be backing Kingsley Chinda, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, as a possible alternative candidate in the APC governorship race. Chinda was reportedly among the first aspirants screened on Saturday.
Reacting to questions surrounding the process, APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, said the screening exercise was still ongoing and no official report had been released.
“I don’t know what you mean by ‘screened.’ 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. As of now, there is no report from the screening committee,” Basiru said.
Despite the controversy surrounding the governor’s abrupt exit, one of Fubara’s allies, Chijioke Ihunwo, claimed the screening exercise was successful.
In a social media post, the former Obio/Akpor Local Government chairman congratulated Fubara, asserting that the governor had been cleared to contest in the APC primary election.
“Formally and personally, I heartily congratulate His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, on his successful screening and clearance by the Election Committee to contest in the primary election of the All Progressives Congress,” Ihunwo wrote.
Earlier, APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, had dismissed concerns over Fubara’s earlier absence from the screening exercise, attributing it to official state engagements.
He noted that governors from Kwara and Ebonyi states were also absent for similar reasons and assured that the party remained flexible in accommodating governors’ schedules.
The latest development adds another layer to the growing political tensions in Rivers State as alignments ahead of the 2027 elections continue to intensify.
