The re-election ambition of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, appeared to suffer a setback on Sunday after he abruptly walked out of the All Progressives Congress screening exercise in Abuja and declined to speak with journalists.
Fubara arrived at the Plateau State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, venue of the screening, at about 3pm after missing Saturday’s session attended by several incumbent governors seeking re-election on the platform of the APC.
However, the governor reportedly left the screening venue after spending about 20 minutes with the committee, raising concerns over the outcome of the exercise.
Eyewitnesses said the governor appeared visibly displeased as he exited the hall and ignored repeated attempts by journalists to get his reaction.
Asked by reporters how the screening went, Fubara simply responded, “No comment,” before leaving the premises.
Unlike other governors who had earlier undergone screening and were escorted out by members of the committee as a mark of respect, Fubara departed without such protocol.
Sources at the venue disclosed that committee members remained inside the hall and only came out several minutes after the governor had left.
Sunday’s exercise was presided over by the APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Dalori.
Fubara’s appearance came amid lingering political tension in Rivers State following his strained relationship with his former political ally and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
There have also been speculations within political circles that the camp loyal to Wike may be backing the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, for the APC governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 election.
Chinda was reportedly among the first aspirants screened by the party on Saturday.
Speaking after the exercise, APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, said the screening process was still ongoing and declined to comment on whether Fubara had successfully scaled through the exercise.
“I don’t know what you mean by screened. Anyone who appears before the committee has only fulfilled a necessary part of the process. The committee will sit and submit its report after meeting all aspirants,” he stated.
On Saturday, APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, had defended the absence of some governors from the initial screening session, explaining that official state engagements delayed their appearance.
He noted that governors from Kwara and Ebonyi states were also absent due to pressing state matters, adding that the party remained flexible with the schedules of serving governors.
