The re-election campaign of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, encountered an unexpected hurdle on Sunday after he walked out of the All Progressives Congress (APC) screening venue in Abuja.
Unlike other incumbent governors who were successfully screened on Saturday, Fubara was notably absent from the exercise. He arrived at the Plateau Governor’s Lodge—where the screening took place—around 3 p.m. on Sunday.
However, just 20 minutes after entering the screening room, the governor exited abruptly, with visible signs of frustration. He declined to speak with journalists who had waited several hours for his arrival. When approached for comment on the outcome of the exercise, a visibly agitated Fubara responded only, “No comment.”
According to sources, it has been customary for screening committee members to escort governors seeking re-election or senatorial tickets out of the venue as a gesture of respect. In Fubara’s case, no such escort was provided. Committee members reportedly left the room six minutes after his departure.
Sunday’s session was presided over by the APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Dalori.
Fubara has been engaged in a prolonged political feud with his estranged political godfather, Nyesom Wike, who serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Reports suggest Wike is considering backing the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, as a replacement for Fubara.
Unconfirmed sources also indicate that one of Wike’s sons may be positioned to succeed Chinda, who currently represents the Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. Chinda was reportedly the first aspirant screened on Saturday for the APC governorship ticket.