Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has reignited the debate over political leadership in Rivers State, faulting Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s claim of being “001” on the All Progressives Congress (APC) membership register and insisting that President Bola Tinubu will not sacrifice the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for him.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, Fayose drew parallels between Rivers and Lagos politics, arguing that political leadership in a state does not automatically rest with a sitting governor. He cited Lagos State as an example, insisting that despite Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu holding office, real political authority in the state resides with President Tinubu, a former governor.
According to Fayose, Fubara’s public declaration of himself as “001” in the APC was politically misplaced, stressing that party leadership is not determined by executive position alone.
On the lingering Rivers political crisis, Fayose said Tinubu has no incentive to abandon Wike, whom he described as more politically valuable to the President than Fubara. He argued that Wike’s influence, electoral value and performance as FCT minister make him indispensable.
“The Asiwaju I know will not get rid of a Wike for a Fubara,” Fayose said, adding that Wike has consistently delivered political results for the ruling party.
Fayose also described the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State as a political lifeline for Governor Fubara, noting that impeachment would have effectively ended his political career.
The comments triggered swift reactions in Rivers State. Factional APC chairman, Chief Emeka Beke, dismissed Fayose’s remarks as baseless, insisting that Fubara, as governor, remains the leader of the APC in the state. He accused Fayose of meddling in Rivers politics despite not being from the state or a member of the party.
Similarly, the Coordinator of the Initiative for Transparent Strategy and Good Leadership, Mr. Chizy Enyi, said Fayose was speaking to protect the interests of Wike, urging him to focus on maintaining his friendship with the FCT minister and leave Rivers politics alone. Enyi maintained that political leadership naturally follows executive authority, arguing that Fubara, as governor, remains the leader of the state.
The controversy comes amid deepening tension between Wike and his estranged successor, which last week escalated into impeachment proceedings against Fubara by 26 of the 32 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, most of whom are loyal to Wike. The move has since attracted widespread condemnation, with groups including PANDEF, Rivers APC and PDP calling for restraint.
The debate over party leadership has also been fueled by recent remarks from Vice President Kashim Shettima, who stated that defecting governors automatically become leaders of the APC in their states. Notably, Shettima was silent on who leads the APC in Lagos, where both President Tinubu and Governor Sanwo-Olu hail from.
Adding another layer to the controversy, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has rejected Wike’s claim that political parties nationwide are rallying under his leadership in a “rainbow coalition” to support President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. IPAC described the assertion as misleading and said no individual has the mandate to speak or decide for political parties.
While dismissing Wike’s claim, IPAC revealed that some parties are independently considering giving unconditional solidarity support to Governor Fubara, including the possibility of not fielding governorship candidates in Rivers State to restore peace and stability.
As the political drama unfolds, Rivers State remains at the centre of a high-stakes power struggle, with party leadership, loyalty and influence now firmly in the national spotlight ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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