The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has described Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s withdrawal from the Rivers State APC governorship primary as a personal decision, insisting that the party followed due process throughout the exercise.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Yilwatda explained that Fubara voluntarily stepped down after successfully completing the APC screening process ahead of the primaries.

“He pulled out; he stepped down. It is personal to him. He bought the forms, came for screening, passed the screening, and we were waiting for the primaries before he opted to step down,” Yilwatda stated.

The APC chairman also dismissed claims that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, influenced the outcome of the Rivers APC primary election.

“Wike is not in our party. He is in PDP,” Yilwatda said in response to suggestions that the former Rivers governor played a role in the process that allegedly denied Fubara the APC ticket.

Yilwatda further defended the party’s screening and disqualification process, stressing that all aspirants are required to be financially active members of the APC before they can contest elective positions.

“Our party guidelines state that before you are qualified to contest for any position, you must be a financial member of the party. The constitution of the party says you must have evidence of paying your dues before you can contest, be voted for, or be nominated,” he said.

According to him, aspirants who failed to meet the financial membership requirements were automatically disqualified in line with party rules.

“If somebody has not paid his dues and has no proof of being a financial member, he stands disqualified. You must be a member of APC,” Yilwatda added.

Addressing questions surrounding the emergence of House of Representatives member Kingsley Chinda as the APC governorship candidate in Rivers State despite his previous affiliation with the Peoples Democratic Party, Yilwatda maintained that the APC does not operate a waiver system.

“He defected. Our party has no waiver system. Even if you decamp to our party today, you can enjoy equal rights with every other member once you are properly registered,” he explained.

Fubara had earlier announced his withdrawal from the APC governorship primary, saying his decision was aimed at prioritising peace, stability, and unity in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Another aspirant, Tonye Cole, also withdrew from the race and pledged loyalty to party decisions, while Fubara promised to support the eventual APC candidate.

Following the conclusion of the exercise, Chinda emerged as the APC governorship candidate for Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections.