Fresh uncertainty has emerged over the re-election ambition of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, following his abrupt exit from the All Progressives Congress (APC) screening venue in Abuja on Sunday.
While several incumbent governors seeking re-election reportedly completed their screening on Saturday, Fubara was notably absent from the exercise until he arrived at the Plateau Governor’s Lodge, venue of the screening, at about 3pm on Sunday.
Sources at the venue said the governor spent only about 20 minutes inside the screening room before leaving abruptly. Observers noted a visible change in his mood as he exited the hall.
Fubara declined to speak extensively with journalists who had waited for hours to interview him. Responding briefly to questions on how the exercise went, the Rivers governor said only, “No comment.”
Unlike other governors and aspirants who were traditionally escorted out by members of the screening committee as a sign of courtesy, committee members reportedly did not accompany Fubara out of the venue. Reports indicated that members of the panel remained inside and exited several minutes later.
The screening session was chaired by the APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Dalori.
Fubara’s latest appearance comes amid his prolonged political dispute with his former ally and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Speculation has continued to trail the political situation in Rivers State, with reports alleging that Wike is backing the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, as a possible replacement for Fubara in the governorship race.
There have also been unconfirmed claims that one of Wike’s sons may be positioned to contest for Chinda’s current seat representing Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
Chinda was reportedly among the first aspirants screened for the APC governorship ticket on Saturday.
Speaking after the exercise, APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, said the screening process was still ongoing and declined to confirm whether Fubara had successfully passed the exercise.
According to him, all aspirants appearing before the panel were merely undergoing part of the required process, while the committee would later deliberate and submit its report.
Earlier on Saturday, APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, defended Fubara’s absence from the initial session, attributing it to official engagements.
Yilwatda also noted that the governors of Kwara and Ebonyi states were absent for similar reasons, stressing that the party remained flexible in accommodating governors facing urgent state responsibilities.
