Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has faulted Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara’s claim of being “001” in the All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that political leadership within the party does not automatically come with occupying executive office.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, Fayose questioned Fubara’s declaration as the political leader of the APC in Rivers State, drawing parallels with Lagos State politics. According to him, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu cannot be regarded as the political leader of Lagos, arguing that such authority rests firmly with President Bola Tinubu, a former governor of the state.
Fayose cited the impeachment and subsequent reinstatement of Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, as proof of Tinubu’s overriding influence in Lagos politics. He said the development demonstrated that ultimate political control in the state lies with the president, not the sitting governor.
On the lingering Rivers political crisis, Fayose said President Tinubu would not sacrifice the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for Governor Fubara. He described Wike as more politically valuable to the president, citing his role in delivering electoral victories and his performance as FCT minister.
Fayose also described the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State as a political lifeline for Fubara, arguing that the governor would have been removed from office if impeachment proceedings had succeeded. He advised Fubara to embrace humility and seek peace rather than external intervention.
His comments sparked reactions from APC stakeholders in Rivers State, including factional APC chairman Emeka Beke and political activist Chizy Enyi, who accused Fayose of meddling in state affairs and urged him to focus on his relationship with Wike.
Meanwhile, the Inter-Party Advisory Council dismissed Wike’s claim of leading a “rainbow coalition” of political parties backing Tinubu’s 2027 re-election, describing it as misleading. IPAC, however, noted that some parties were independently considering supporting Fubara’s re-election to promote peace in Rivers State.
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