Fresh uncertainty has emerged around the political future of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara after the All Progressives Congress (APC) declined to clarify his status following the party’s governorship screening exercise ahead of the 2027 elections.
The development has intensified speculation within Nigeria’s political space, especially given the long-running political tension between Fubara and his predecessor, current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Fubara appeared before the APC screening panel in Abuja amid heightened expectations over whether the ruling party would clear him to proceed toward the governorship primary election.
However, instead of providing clarity after the exercise, party officials offered guarded responses that left observers with even more questions.
According to reports, the Rivers governor spent less than 20 minutes before the screening committee before leaving the venue without addressing journalists waiting outside.
Witnesses described the atmosphere around the session as tense, with the governor reportedly appearing visibly uncomfortable after the meeting.
When asked directly about Fubara’s fate after the screening, APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru avoided giving a definitive answer.
Instead, he stated that the committee would submit its report after concluding all screenings, adding that no final decision had yet been announced.
“I don’t know what you mean by screen,” Basiru reportedly said while responding to questions from journalists.
He explained that all aspirants were expected to appear before the committee and that the panel would later issue its recommendations.
The vague response has fueled political tension, especially because Fubara’s political journey within the APC has remained controversial from the beginning.
His strained relationship with Wike has dominated Rivers politics for months, leading to intense power struggles over control of the state’s political structure.
Political observers believe the APC screening process has now become more than a routine internal exercise.
Instead, it is being viewed as a major test of influence between competing political camps within Rivers State and the broader national power structure surrounding the party.
Before eventually appearing for screening, reports had indicated that Fubara was initially absent while other governors and aspirants were screened by the party.
The APC later explained that some governors with official engagements were permitted to reschedule their appearance.
The uncertainty surrounding Fubara has become even more significant because several other Rivers politicians are also contesting for the APC governorship ticket.
Among them are former Rivers governorship candidate Tonye Cole, former Commissioner for Works George-Kelly Alabo, and House of Representatives Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, who recently defected to the APC.
Analysts say the presence of multiple strong aspirants suggests that the APC governorship contest in Rivers may become one of the most politically sensitive races ahead of the 2027 elections.
Beyond Rivers State, the situation also reflects wider internal tensions within the APC as the party attempts to balance loyalty, influence, and strategic interests ahead of another major election cycle.
The screening exercise itself forms part of the APC’s broader preparation for the 2027 elections, which will include governorship, legislative, and presidential primaries scheduled over the coming weeks.
However, the Rivers situation has attracted special national attention because of the deep political crisis that has unfolded in the state since the fallout between Fubara and Wike.
The conflict has repeatedly drawn intervention from top political figures and institutions, including the Presidency, as concerns grew over governance stability and political control within the oil-rich state.
For supporters of Fubara, the APC screening process is being interpreted as a critical indicator of whether the governor still retains political relevance within the ruling party structure.
Others argue that the silence from the APC leadership may indicate ongoing behind-the-scenes negotiations aimed at preventing deeper divisions within the party before the primaries.
Political analysts also note that Rivers State remains strategically important because of its economic influence, voting strength, and historical role in national politics.
As a result, decisions surrounding the state’s governorship race are unlikely to be treated as ordinary party matters.
At the moment, the APC screening committee is expected to submit its report, after which aspirants may either be cleared or directed toward the party’s appeal process if disputes arise.
Until then, uncertainty continues to surround Fubara’s political future, with both supporters and opponents closely monitoring every signal emerging from the party hierarchy.
For many observers, the silence from the APC has only deepened the suspense around one of Nigeria’s most closely watched political rivalries ahead of 2027.