2027: Fubara storms out of APC screening venue, snubs journalists

…We’ll make our report public soon – Ruling party 

Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers State, on Sunday appeared before the All Progressives Congress (APC) screening committee for governors chaired by Nentawe Yilwatda, the National Chairman of the party.

Fubara had failed to appear before the panel on Saturday, the final day scheduled for the screening of governors seeking the party’s ticket for a second term, as well as second-term governors vying for senatorial tickets.

However, Yilwatda explained that Fubara’s absence was not unusual, noting that governors engaged in official state assignments were granted exemptions and would be rescheduled within the screening window.

On Sunday, the Rivers governor was seen arriving at the Plateau Governor’s Lodge in the Asokoro area of Abuja, the venue of the screening exercise.

Journalists who had waited outside the venue in anticipation of speaking with him after the exercise were left disappointed, as Fubara hurried out of the hall and declined all interview requests.

BusinessDay reports that the governor appeared visibly upset as he briskly made his way into his official vehicle without addressing reporters.

The screening exercise, part of preparations for the party’s primaries ahead of the 2027 elections, was conducted by a committee led by Yilwatda.

Governors screened on Saturday included Abba Yusuf, Inuwa Yahaya, Nasir Idris, Caleb Mutfwang, Hyacinth Alia, Francis Nwifuru, Sheriff Oborevwori, Umar Bago, Dauda Lawal, Bassey Otu and Ahmed Aliyu, among others.

Also screened was Stanley Osifo, the sole challenger to Bola Tinubu for the party’s presidential ticket.

Sunday’s development has further fueled speculation over Fubara’s standing within the APC amid his prolonged political feud with his predecessor and political rival, Nyesom Wike, the FCT Minister.

The battle for control of Rivers State’s resources, politics and governance between Wike and Fubara has repeatedly drawn the intervention of the Presidency.

While Wike has openly opposed Fubara’s second-term ambition, efforts by political stakeholders to broker peace between both camps are yet to produce a lasting resolution.

Wike has consistently maintained that Fubara should not return as governor in 2027. Although many political observers believed Fubara’s eventual defection to the APC could strengthen his chances of securing the party’s ticket, the former Rivers governor has remained opposed to his re-election bid.

Several meetings involving President Bola Tinubu and key political stakeholders were reportedly convened in efforts to reconcile both camps, but the disagreement over Fubara’s second-term ambition remains unresolved.

Screening panel will soon make report public – APC

Reacting to questions on whether Fubara had been cleared to contest for the APC governorship ticket, Ajibola Bashiru said appearing before the screening panel was only part of the process.

“I don’t know what you mean by cleared. Anybody that appears before the screening committee is merely participating in a necessary stage of the process,” Bashiru said.

He explained that the screening committee would only issue its final position after concluding its assignment and compiling its report.

“After all aspirants have appeared before the committee, the panel will sit and prepare its report. As of now, there is no report from the screening committee yet,” he added.

More intrigues

Meanwhile, other governorship aspirants on the APC platform in Rivers State have already obtained nomination forms and screened ahead of the party’s primary election. Wike, despite remaining a member of the PDP, is yet to publicly endorse any aspirant.

Among those who have purchased APC governorship nomination forms are George-Kelly Alabo and Kingsley Chinda.

Speaking during an interview on Beat FM 99.9 in Port Harcourt, George-Kelly alleged that Chinda, is still a member of the PDP, but obtained an APC governorship nomination form.

“Chinda is the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, yet he bought a governorship nomination form in the APC, in our party,” George-Kelly said.

Fubara’s expression of interest and nomination forms were also said to have been purchased by a coalition of political stakeholders and leaders in Rivers State.

BusinessDay reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.

INEC also announced that political parties are expected to conduct their primaries and resolve disputes arising from them between April 23 and May 30, 2026.

Campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled to commence on August 19, 2026, while campaigns for governorship and State Assembly elections will begin on September 9, 2026.