No automatic ticket for Governors, Fubara Is APC leader in Rivers - Yilwatda

By James Ike

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has ruled out automatic tickets for serving governors seeking re-election on the platform of the party.

Yilwatda, however, affirmed that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, remains the recognised leader of the APC in the state, in line with the party’s long-standing tradition of acknowledging sitting governors as heads of party structures at the state level.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, the APC chairman explained that while governors are accorded leadership roles within their states, such authority must be exercised with fairness, inclusiveness, and respect for other party stakeholders.

He stressed that leadership within the party does not confer the right to sideline or disenfranchise members, noting that the APC encourages broad consultation and collaboration at all levels.

“Being a leader doesn’t give you the right to disenfranchise those within the state,” Yilwatda said, underscoring the party’s emphasis on internal democracy.

According to him, the APC’s structure allows governors to coordinate party affairs at the state level, while the national leadership limits itself to an oversight and coordinating role across the country.
“As national chairman, I only coordinate what is happening at the state levels,” he added.

Clarifying the political situation in Rivers State, Yilwatda reiterated that Governor Fubara is the party’s leader in the state but noted that such leadership comes with the responsibility of working harmoniously with all party actors.

“Yes, but he will need to coordinate with every other person in the state,” he said.

On speculations surrounding a possible second-term bid by the Rivers governor, the APC chairman made it clear that the party would not compromise its internal democratic processes for any individual.
He said he does not handpick candidates or endorse aspirants ahead of party primaries, emphasising that all hopefuls, including incumbent governors, must contest and emerge through the primaries.

“I’ll go with candidates, not individuals,” Yilwatda stated.

He recalled that in previous elections, sitting governors in other states were required to purchase nomination forms and compete alongside other aspirants before securing the party’s ticket.

Yilwatda concluded that once a candidate emerges through a credible primary process, the party leadership would fully support the winner, regardless of personal affiliations.

“If he emerges as the candidate, I’ll support him. If he loses, I’ll go with the person that wins,” he said.