The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, has defended the decision of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to withdraw from the party’s governorship primary, insisting that the governor’s choice should be respected and not immediately interpreted as evidence of political crisis or coercion.
Morka made the remarks during an interview on TVC News on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, while responding to growing public debate surrounding Fubara’s unexpected withdrawal from the contest and the political implications attached to the move.
The development has generated widespread speculation within political circles, especially amid ongoing tensions and shifting alliances in Rivers State politics. Some observers had suggested that the governor’s decision may have resulted from internal party pressure or strategic negotiations taking place behind the scenes within the APC.
Addressing the issue during the television interview, Morka dismissed attempts to attach negative interpretations to the governor’s action. According to him, Governor Fubara, as a sitting governor, possesses the political standing and constitutional freedom to make decisions regarding his participation in internal party contests.
“He is the sitting governor, and I think whatever decision he makes ought to be respected,” Morka stated during the interview.
The APC spokesman further argued that political observers should avoid rushing to conclusions without concrete evidence suggesting that the governor acted under pressure.
“People should not assume that every political decision is made under duress or crisis. Sometimes leaders make decisions based on broader consultations and strategic considerations,” he said.
Morka maintained that it was important to allow political actors the freedom to determine their next steps without unnecessary public speculation capable of escalating tensions within the party structure.
According to him, Governor Fubara remains an experienced political figure who understands the implications of his decisions and should therefore be accorded the respect due to his office.
“He occupies a very important office, and he is capable of taking decisions that he believes are in the best interest of himself, his supporters and the political process,” Morka added.
The Rivers political situation has remained a major topic in Nigeria’s political landscape following months of disagreements, alignments and power struggles involving key stakeholders in the state.
Fubara’s political moves in recent months have attracted intense public attention, especially because of the perceived divisions among major political actors in Rivers State.
Although the governor has not publicly given detailed reasons for stepping away from the primary contest, his withdrawal immediately sparked reactions from party members, opposition figures and political analysts across the country.
Some analysts suggested that the move could be connected to ongoing negotiations aimed at stabilizing the political atmosphere within the state ahead of future elections.
Others argued that the governor’s decision may have been part of a broader strategy designed to avoid deepening internal divisions within the APC.
However, Morka insisted that interpretations surrounding the withdrawal should remain measured and responsible until the governor personally provides further clarification.
“We must be careful not to create unnecessary narratives around every political development. It is important to allow the process to unfold naturally,” he stated…..See More
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