Drama ensued on Sunday as Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, angrily stormed out of the All Progressives Congress (APC) screening hall in Abuja.
While other incumbent governors were successfully screened on Saturday, Fubara and Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, were conspicuously absent.
Responding to questions about Fubara’s absence from the screening, the Chairman of the Committee, who also serves as the APC Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, said state governors with official engagements were excused.
He said, “Three governors have not come, so that is the issue. I said you should not single one person out when three governors have not appeared. 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, Rivers State, we excuse them.”
However, Fubara eventually arrived at the Plateau Governor’s Lodge, venue of the exercise, at about 3pm on Sunday, but walked out of the screening room after 20 minutes, and his demeanour visibly changed.
Fubara who was seen visibly angry from his countenance, refused to grant interviews to journalists who had waited hours for his arrival.
When reporters asked how the exercise went, a visibly distressed Fubara said, “No comment.”
Following the incident, the re-election bid of Fubara may appear to suffer a setback, and the Governor’s next move is uncertain.
Fubara has been embroiled in a running battle with his estranged political godfather cum the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
There have been speculations that Wike has resolved to replace Fubara with the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Kingsley Chinda.
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