- Safiu Kehinde
Drama has unfolded at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Screening Centre in Abuja as Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, walked out of the centre.
Fubara reportedly arrived at the Plateau Governor’s Lodge around 3pm on Sunday for his screening having been noticeably absent during the screening of other incumbent governors yesterday.
The Rivers governor would however storm out of the screening room after just 20 minutes while ignoring journalists’ request for interview.
Videos shared on X showed Fubara heading straight for his car with his security aides shoving off journalists as he declared ‘no comment’.
This is coming under the heels of his reignited feud with his predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Despite initially having the backing of the APC National leaders who declared their support for his re-election, Wike had repeatedly rejected Fubara’s candidacy.
The FCT Minister had switched allegiance to the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, who was reportedly the first aspirant to be screened on Saturday for the APC governorship ticket.
Efforts by journalists to get a clue on what transpired during the brief engagement between Fubara and the APC Screening Panel proved abortive as the party’s National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, who addressed newsmen failed to provide details of the engagement.
According to reports, when asked specifically about Fubara’s screening, Basiru responded, “I don’t know what you mean by ‘screened.’ Anyone who appears before the committee does so as a necessary part of the process.
“Once the committee has seen everyone, they will sit down and produce a report. As of now, there is no report from the screening committee.” He said.
While Fubara’s appearance at the screening had initial been considered an affront against Wike, his abrupt exit had however raised concern over the governor’s future and chances of securing his re-election bid.