YILWATDA: FUBARA PASSED APC GUBER SCREENING — BUT PULLED OUT WILLINGLY

ABUJA, NIGERIA — MAY 27, 2026

Nentawe Yilwatda, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, successfully passed the party’s governorship screening before voluntarily withdrawing from the race.
Yilwatda made the clarification amid speculations surrounding Fubara’s decision to step down from the APC governorship primary ahead of the 2027 elections.

The APC national chairman explained that the Rivers governor met all the requirements of the screening process and was duly cleared by the party before his withdrawal.
According to him, Fubara’s decision to pull out of the race was entirely voluntary and not connected to any form of disqualification or internal party crisis.
Governor Fubara had on May 20 announced his withdrawal from the APC governorship primary, stating that he took the decision out of conviction and sacrifice in the interest of peace, unity, and stability in Rivers State.

The governor said his action was aimed at allowing the state to move forward peacefully while avoiding unnecessary political tension.
Yilwatda commended Fubara for what he described as a mature and statesmanlike decision, noting that the APC remains committed to internal democracy and peaceful political engagement.

He also dismissed reports suggesting that the governor failed the screening exercise, insisting that the party’s records clearly showed that Fubara was qualified and approved to contest.

The APC chairman reiterated the party’s determination to ensure credible primaries across the country ahead of the 2027 general election.
Fubara’s withdrawal from the race has continued to generate reactions within Rivers political circles, with analysts describing the development as a major shift in the state’s political landscape.