Daniel Bwala, special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on policy communication, says his principal aligns with the position of Nentawe Yilwatda, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on the leadership hierarchy in Rivers state.

Bwala’s remarks come as the Rivers house of assembly continues impeachment proceedings against Siminalayi Fubara, amid a renewed war of words between the governor and Nyesom Wike, his predecessor.

On January 3, the APC chairman said Fubara, governor of Rivers, leads the party in the state.

Yilwatda said the APC accords governors the privilege of leading the party at the state level, while urging them to respect inclusion and avoid disenfranchising other party members.

Speaking on ‘Hard Copy’, a Channels Television programme, Bwala said the governor must be allowed to carry out his duties without undue interference.

The presidential aide added that Wike’s political standing in the state is limited to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“I agree with the point highlighted by the national chairman that in Rivers state, Governor Fubara is the leader of the APC. Wike is not a member of the APC, so he cannot speak for the party,” he said.

“He may be regarded as a leader within the PDP in Rivers state, having been a former governor, but the APC leader in the state is Governor Fubara.”

Bwala said Tinubu’s position is in tandem with the party’s internal rules and democratic principles.

“What the national chairman said is the position the president sticks to, because he respects party procedures. The president believes in the rule of law and due process, and the party will always respect that,” he said.

Bwala also addressed concerns over Wike’s influence within the federal government, noting that appointments do not supersede national interest.

“We’ve heard people complain that as a cabinet member, Wike enjoys certain benefits,” he said.

“Wike has been adequately compensated. The president believes in compensating people, but not at the expense of the interest of Nigeria. President Bola Tinubu gives latitude, but once you cross the line, you will know.”

He added that the cold war between Wike and Fubara is “being handled”.

“When you ask who is the leader of the party, the answer is the governor. The impeachment procedure must be consistent with the practice of law and constitutional requirements,” he added.

“The governor will deal with it. There are court orders stopping the impeachment, and the party is clear: nobody should stop Fubara from governing Rivers state.

“The president even respects the rights of states governed by the PDP. Even where the APC may want to challenge them, he believes that a governor, regardless of party, should be allowed to govern.”

Bwala concluded that the president’s stance reflects his commitment to democratic stability, constitutional order, and party discipline across the country.

Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have insisted that the impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, will continue, describing it as the only solution to the political crisis in the state.

The lawmakers made this known on Friday while briefing journalists, after the Assembly failed to reconvene on Thursday as scheduled.

Taking turns to address the media, the legislators maintained that the impeachment proceedings were constitutional and in line with their legislative responsibilities.

They dismissed criticisms of the process, insisting that the Assembly was acting within the provisions of the law to address what they described as a political impasse in Rivers State.

The briefing came a day after the Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, failed to resume plenary on Thursday, exactly one week after adjourning its last sitting.

The House had, at its sitting last week, initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara and his deputy over alleged gross misconduct.

The allegations included the demolition of the Assembly complex and spending public funds without legislative approval.

However, the impeachment move has faced political pushback, with four lawmakers between Monday and Wednesday formally withdrawing from the process and calling for an amicable resolution of the crisis.

Despite expectations that the Assembly would reconvene on Thursday, there was no indication that plenary held, fuelling speculation about internal divisions within the House.

The lawmakers, however, said on Friday that the impeachment process remained on course.

More details later…