The All Progressives Congress has explained the absence of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, from its ongoing screening exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections, as the ruling party screened over 14 governors and President Bola Tinubu’s sole challenger for the presidential ticket.
The APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, who heads the screening committee for incumbent governors and aspirants seeking senatorial seats, said Fubara and two other governors were absent due to official engagements in their respective states.
Speaking with journalists after the exercise in Abuja, Yilwatda dismissed concerns over Fubara’s absence, insisting that governors with pressing state duties were granted flexibility to appear before the committee within the stipulated period.
“Three governors have not come, so that is the issue. You should not single one person out when three governors have not appeared,” he said.
“All of them have their reasons for not appearing, and we know they are chief executives of their states with state responsibilities.
“So, any governor who has state issues to attend to, whether the governor of Kwara State, Ebonyi State or Rivers State, we excuse them. They are chief executives and field commanders. Anytime they are free, within the stipulated time, the screening committee will be available and we will provide a slot for them.”
The screening exercise, which began on May 8, forms part of the APC’s preparations for the 2027 elections following the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms that ended on May 6.
Among governors screened were Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf; Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya; Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris; Plateau State Governor, Caleb Muftwang; and Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia.
Others included Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru; Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori; Niger State Governor, Umar Bago; Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal; Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu; Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu; and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno.
A senior APC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that more than 14 governors had so far undergone screening.
Also screened was presidential aspirant, Stanley Osifo, who remains the only known challenger to Tinubu within the party.
Osifo described the screening process as rigorous but fair, saying he responded to questions bordering on his decision to contest against the incumbent president despite the party leadership’s endorsement of Tinubu.
He added that he remained committed to the race and had not discussed stepping down for the President.
Meanwhile, Fubara’s absence has continued to generate political interest amid his prolonged feud with his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Reports indicated that some Rivers elders and political stakeholders allegedly obtained APC expression of interest and nomination forms for the governor through a proxy despite opposition from Wike’s camp.
The delegation, reportedly led by a member representing Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, said the move was taken in what they described as the overriding interest of Rivers people.
However, it remained unclear if the forms were eventually presented to Fubara.
Also speaking after the exercise, Umo Eno described the screening as smooth and beneficial to party unity.
According to him, the exercise strengthened the relationship between APC governors and the party’s National Working Committee while also reinforcing confidence in Tinubu’s administration.
The governor said although Nigerians were facing economic challenges, there were signs of improvement under the current administration, citing exchange rate stability and ongoing reforms.
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Bauchi governorship aspirant, Yusuf Tuggar, however, warned that achieving consensus among governorship aspirants in Bauchi State might prove difficult due to the growing number of contenders.
He urged the APC leadership to ensure transparency during the primaries and guard against manipulations capable of producing a false impression of consensus.
The party’s primaries are expected to commence later this month, beginning with the House of Representatives primary on May 15 and ending with the presidential primary scheduled for May 23.
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