Major Setback for Governor Fubara — Rivers APC Excluded from Upcoming Congresses
Major Setback for Governor Fubara — Rivers APC Excluded from Upcoming Congresses
In a dramatic twist that could reshape political dynamics in Rivers State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) has announced the exclusion of the Rivers State chapter from the schedule of the nationwide party congresses. This decision marks a significant political blow for Governor Siminalayi Fubara, whose recent political moves — including his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC — were expected to strengthen his footing among ruling party structures.
🗳 What Happened?
According to the party’s announcement, the APC has extended its membership e-registration exercise and rescheduled congresses for February 18, 2026. However, Osun, Ekiti, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) — and importantly Rivers State — have been exempted from this schedule. The reason? The party says that Rivers APC held congresses off-cycle last year, and the tenure of the executives elected at that time is still active, meaning the state is not yet due for fresh congresses. �
Newspeakonline
This decision means Rivers APC members will not cast votes or elect new party executives alongside other states — a development that could stall internal party organization and weaken strategic alignments ahead of critical elections in 2026 and 2027.
👤 The Factional Divide in Rivers APC
The Rivers APC has been sharply divided for over a year, split between:
The Tony Okocha faction, backed by some loyalists of former Governor and current FCT Minister Nyesom Wike; and
The Emeka Beke faction, which some courts have recognised as the authentic executive of the party. �
ThisDayLive
These splits have led to legal battles, with courts annulling congresses previously held by the Okocha-led group. �
ThisDayLive
⚖️ Legal Battles and Party Politics
Rivers APC’s internal crisis has spilled into the courtroom — with a Port Harcourt High Court sacking the Tony Okocha-led Caretaker Committee and reinstating the Beke leadership pending the expiration of their tenure. � Yet, that judgement has itself been contested and described by Okocha’s faction as an “abuse of court processes” and non-binding on the party’s hierarchy. �
ThisDayLive
arise.tv
Meanwhile, the APC’s decision to exclude Rivers from the congresses reflects the national leadership’s position that the state’s current executive structure remains valid until its tenure lapses.
📉 Political Implications for Governor Fubara
Governor Fubara’s growing influence within the APC — highlighted by his formal defection from the PDP and subsequent recognition by national party figures as the leader of the Rivers APC — is being tested by these developments. �
thewillnews.com
While the Presidency has publicly reaffirmed Fubara as the APC leader in Rivers, clarifying that Wike — though influential — is not an APC member, and that the governor is the party’s recognised head in the state, the internal party exclusion could undermine organisational momentum for Fubara’s political agenda. �
thewillnews.com
📊 What This Means Going Forward
Political analysts believe this exclusion may:
Delay party restructuring in Rivers APC ahead of the critical 2027 general elections;
Deepen factional tensions between pro-Wike and pro-Fubara camps; and
Reinforce legal and strategic battles over party legitimacy in the state.
For Governor Fubara, the next few weeks will be crucial as he navigates a party still divided by factional feuds, legal challenges, and strategic positioning ahead of Nigeria’s next election cycle.
