Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has stirred fresh debate over political leadership in Rivers State, questioning Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s claim of being the “001” member and leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV on Tuesday, Fayose dismissed Fubara’s declaration, arguing that leadership within the APC is not automatically conferred by holding executive office. Drawing a parallel with Lagos State, Fayose insisted that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu cannot be regarded as the political leader of Lagos, maintaining that such authority still rests with President Bola Tinubu, a former governor of the state.
To buttress his argument, Fayose cited the recent impeachment and reinstatement of Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, describing the reversal as clear evidence of Tinubu’s overriding influence in Lagos politics.
“The president I know hates ingratitude; he controls Lagos from the palms of his hands,” Fayose said. “Will you tell me Sanwo-Olu is the leader in Lagos? There are things you don’t say to let it get to your head.”
On the deepening political crisis in Rivers State, Fayose said President Tinubu would not sacrifice the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for Governor Fubara, insisting that Wike remains more politically valuable to the President.
“The Asiwaju I know will not get rid of a Wike for a Fubara,” Fayose said, arguing that Wike’s performance in Abuja and his ability to deliver electoral victories for the APC give him strong leverage.
Fayose also described the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State as a political lifeline for Governor Fubara, noting that impeachment would have effectively ended his political future.
“The emergency rule saved him. Once you’re impeached, you’re gone politically,” Fayose stated, adding that Fubara must learn humility and seek peace rather than “running helter-skelter.”
The comments sparked immediate reactions from Rivers APC stakeholders. The embattled factional APC chairman in the state, Chief Emeka Beke, dismissed Fayose’s remarks as baseless, insisting that Fubara, as governor, remains the leader of the APC in Rivers State.
“Fayose is not from Rivers State and not a member of APC. He doesn’t understand what is going on here,” Beke said.
Similarly, Mr. Chizy Enyi, Coordinator of the Initiative for Transparent Strategy and Good Leadership, accused Fayose of speaking to protect Wike’s interests and urged him to stay out of Rivers politics.
“With all intent and purpose, Fubara is the governor and therefore the leader of the state,” Enyi said, adding that godfatherism does not work in Rivers State.
Meanwhile, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) faulted Wike’s claim that political parties across the country were rallying under his leadership in a so-called “rainbow coalition” to support President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Egbeola Martins, IPAC described the claim as misleading and unfounded, stressing that no individual has the authority to speak or decide for registered political parties.
“Political parties are independent institutions governed by their constitutions and internal democratic processes,” IPAC said, warning against attempts to appropriate their collective will.
However, IPAC noted that some political parties were independently considering offering unconditional solidarity support to Governor Fubara, including the possibility of not fielding governorship candidates in Rivers State, as a voluntary move aimed at restoring peace and stability.
The renewed war of words underscores the deepening power struggle between Wike and his former ally, Fubara—a rivalry that recently escalated into impeachment proceedings initiated by 26 of the 32 Rivers State House of Assembly members, most of whom are loyal to Wike.
As tensions continue to rise, political observers say Rivers State remains a major battleground ahead of the 2027 general elections, with alliances, leadership claims, and party control still fiercely contested.
