The All Progressives Congress has explained why the newly-defected Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has not yet been officially welcomed into the party.

Speaking on TVC on Sunday, APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, said the delay is part of a strategic plan to manage regional sensitivities, particularly in northern states.

Explaining the party’s schedule of formal receptions, Yilwatda said, “We have Kano we’re preparing for. When you’re dealing in politics, we opted to clear the north first because Ramadan is coming and most of the people in the north are Muslims.

“We have a lot of communities in the north that are sensitive to the issue of Ramadan. So we pleaded that we clear the northern governors who have to come to the APC first before going to the south, where we don’t have Ramadan as an issue.”

He emphasised that the delay has nothing to do with Fubara lacking authority.

“So these are strategies and also acknowledge the sensitivity of each community. That’s the reason we took that decision. It has nothing to do with Siminalayi Fubara not having authority,” he added.

When asked about claims that Fubara appeared unable to assert control as the APC leader in Rivers State, Yilwatda challenged the premise of the question, demanding evidence of any internal complaint.

“Is that what you’re told? I’m the national chairman. Who complained to you? What petition? I want you to give me one petition. Has he complained to you?

“When somebody has not complained, and we’ve not seen a physical petition, the media should not create a petition. And they become the petitioners, the judge, and the jailer at the same time,” he said.

When the interviewer referenced comments by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, about political actors in Rivers State uniting under President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda, Yilwatda said such support groups were separate from the APC’s official structures.

“Support groups are separate from party activities. Is it under the office of the chairman of the party?” he said.

The political backdrop to the questions around Fubara’s leadership stems from a long-running crisis in Rivers State.

Fubara’s relationship with his predecessor, Wike, collapsed after their 2023 power struggle, which at one point prompted President Bola Tinubu to declare a six-month state of emergency in the state.

Fubara formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC on December 9, 2025, a realignment widely seen as part of his bid for a second term in 2027 and an effort to consolidate support after his fallout with Wike.

However, Wike, who remains a powerful political figure in Rivers despite not being an APC member, has publicly challenged the notion that Fubara’s defection automatically makes him party leader in the state, arguing that grassroots control and party structures — which his supporters still occupy in parts — determine leadership.

The dynamic has fuelled a broader political crisis, with rival factions within the APC and PDP in Rivers engaging in impeachment moves, negotiations and efforts to stabilise the situation ahead of the 2027 elections.

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The All Progressives Congress, African Democratic Congress, and Peoples Democratic Party have all expressed readiness and optimism ahead of the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, each claiming confidence in securing victory as campaigns intensify across the territory.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled the election for February 21, 2026, which is widely seen as a precursor to the 2027 general elections.

On Saturday, INEC conducted a mock accreditation and voting exercise across the territory as part of preparations for the polls.

Also over the weekend, the APC announced the formation of its campaign council, showcasing a lineup of governors and other bigwigs of the party.

The APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, stated that the ruling party was fully prepared for the elections, emphasising that the progress FCT residents had experienced since 2015 would secure victory for their candidates.

“Our party is fully prepared and has already hit the ground running in preparation for the upcoming election.

“The campaign council has been constituted, and all organs of the party, from the grassroots upwards, have been mobilised to reach out to the people and ensure victory. We are confident that come election day, our candidates will emerge victorious.

“Since the return of democracy in 1999, FCT residents have never witnessed the level of transformation seen under the APC, particularly since 2015.

“The administration of President Bola Tinubu has brought unprecedented development, making the FCT one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa.

“With improved infrastructure and tangible democratic dividends delivered to the people, it is clear why voters are expected to support the APC.

With these records and popular, competent candidates, victory is assured. We are confident that APC candidates will win the council elections,” Ibrahim said.

The ADC Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, stated that the party was fully prepared despite previously requesting INEC to postpone the exercise due to Ramadan.

“INEC replied to our earlier appeal for postponement of the council elections, saying they are unable to, that it’s a constitutional requirement, and that the election time is a constitutional prescription; they are not able to grant our request.

“So the election will go ahead. We are prepared. We know how important it is, so we are prepared. And we are very confident of victory in the elections.

“We don’t have any reason to doubt INEC will conduct credible council elections yet,” Abdullahi said.

Similarly, the Tanimu Turaki (SAN)-led National Working Committee of the PDP stated that both the party leadership and its candidates were fully prepared for the elections.

Its Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said, “Regarding the FCT council elections, the candidates are already campaigning. In every election, it is the candidates and the party working together. The party is very serious about the election, and we know the candidates will also show commitment.

“We are in touch with them, encouraging them, and we are fully prepared for the elections. Remember, FCT is PDP’s territory, and the defection won’t stop our victory. We are therefore very optimistic that our candidates will win.”

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The planned reopening of the Peoples Democratic Party national secretariat at Wadata Plaza, Abuja, by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike-backed caretaker committee through police intervention on Monday has sparked concerns over potential confrontations.

On Thursday, the national secretary of the Wike-backed PDP faction, Samuel Anyanwu, speaking after a closed-door meeting at the Independent National Electoral Commission headquarters, said the faction would take over the national secretariat on Monday.

The crisis over the PDP national secretariat takeover stems from a long-running power struggle between the Tanimu Turaki (SAN) faction, backed by governors, including Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, and the 13-member caretaker committee set up by the Wike-backed faction.

Turaki is laying claim to the legitimacy of the PDP national convention held in Ibadan on November 15, 2025, which has, however, been overturned by the ruling of the Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The last attempt to access the Wadata Plaza secretariat by the two factions resulted in clashes and police intervention.

The Publicity Secretary of the caretaker committee, Jogudo Mohammed, along with another committee member who wished to remain anonymous, told our correspondent that the police had been instructed to open the secretariat following a Federal High Court, Ibadan judgment.

“Once the secretariat has been fumigated, the committee plans to proceed with convention activities there,” Mohammed said.

He added, “Yes. Tomorrow, Monday, 9th February, we expect that the office, Wadata Plaza, will be open for party activities.

“The sale of nomination forms for elective positions in the March convention, including ad hoc forms, is scheduled to commence the following day, Tuesday, and all this will take place there.

“Since the secretariat has been under lock and key for some time, fumigation and general clean-up are required, and these are expected to commence tomorrow, all things being equal. Once the fumigation is completed, preparations for the sale of forms will proceed.”

He further emphasised that the court judgment remained binding, adding, “It must also be noted that merely filing an appeal against a judgment does not automatically stay the execution or effect of that judgment.

“The judgment remains subsisting, in full force of law, unless set aside by a superior court.

“We believe the police will act accordingly, and until there is a contrary order restraining them, there is no legal basis to prevent them from complying with the existing court order.”

Mohammed warned that any attempt by members of the Turaki-led National Working Committee, which had been barred from acting as national officers, to disrupt lawful activities at the secretariat could be treated as contempt of court.

“Any individual previously restrained from parading himself as a national officer of the party who attempts to obstruct lawful activities at the secretariat may be held in contempt of court, and such persons will bear responsibility for any action taken by law enforcement agencies.

“We remain hopeful that the secretariat will be reopened and made available for party activities, including the sale of forms, and we will be there,” he said.

A senior member of the caretaker committee said that, like INEC, the police would comply with the Ibadan court judgment and were set to remove the barricades at Wadata Plaza.

“What you should know is that there is a judgment from the Federal Court in Ibadan, and INEC, the Inspector General of Police, the Director of the DSS, and other relevant agencies were duly served with a certified true copy of that judgment.

“They are therefore fully aware that the individuals parading themselves as leaders—the Turaki group—are not recognised leaders of the PDP.

“Consequently, the secretariat will be reopened tomorrow, barricades removed, and normal activities will resume,” the source added.

The Turaki-led NWC, however, cautioned against self-help measures, noting that the matter was still under appeal. National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said, “As we have mentioned in our press release, everyone should restrain themselves, and whatever happens tomorrow, the responsibility will be on the police. Whatever happens, even if people are physically attacked, if property is burned, if violence breaks out, or anything at all, all will be on the head of the police.

“Our suit is still pending before Justice Abdul Malik, and the Court of Appeal matter is also still pending and alive in the court of law.”

The Turaki faction expressed optimism that the Court of Appeal would offer relief.

Former PDP National Vice Chairman (South West), Eddy Olafeso, said, “The secretariat is just one of the minor issues. The Court of Appeal will decide all issues, both minor and major.

“What I can assure you is that this crisis won’t be the end of the PDP. Despite all the shenanigans and conspiracies within some parts of the judiciary, we remain hopeful that the cases in the Court of Appeal will be heard and that there will be some form of fair justice.

“This will provide respite for the truly committed members of the party who are willing to keep it alive, unlike the Wike group that seeks to bring it down.”

He added, “The truth is that we can no longer afford to be in despair, even in the midst of this crisis. Hope is on the way, and we are very optimistic that justice will ultimately prevail.”