The re-election bid of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, appeared to suffer a setback today after he stormed out of the All Progressives Congress (APC) screening hall in Abuja.
While other incumbent Governors were successfully screened on Saturday, Governor Fubara was conspicuously absent.
He eventually arrived at the Plateau Governor’s Lodge, venue of the exercise, at about 3pm today.
However, the Governor stormed out of the screening room after only 20 minutes and his demeanor visibly changed.
Fubara, with anger written across his face, refused to grant interviews to journalists who had waited hours for his arrival.
When accosted by reporters asking how the exercise went, a visibly distressed Governor Fubara simply said, “No comment.”
Our correspondent reports that since the screening of aspirants commenced, committee members have traditionally escorted Governors seeking re-election or senatorial tickets out of the venue as a mark of respect.
However, it was a different story for Governor Fubara; the committee members did not escort him out.
They reportedly left the room six minutes after his departure.
Sunday’s screening session was presided over by the APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Dalori.
It would be recalled that Governor Fubara has been embroiled in a running battle with his estranged political godfather, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Allegations have surfaced that Wike has resolved to replace Fubara with the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Kingsley Chinda.
There are unconfirmed reports that one of Wike’s sons is being positioned to take over the seat of Chinda, who currently represents Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
Hon. Chinda was reportedly the first Aspirant to be screened on Saturday for the APC governorship ticket.
Speaking with journalists after the session, APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, noted that the process was still ongoing.
When asked specifically if Fubara had been successfully screened, he said he did not know
On Saturday, the National Chairman of the APC, Nentawe Yilwatda, explained Governor Fubara’s initial absence, citing official government activities.
He cautioned against singling out the Rivers Governor as the Governors of Kwara and Ebonyi were also absent due to state exigencies.
