Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara declined to field questions from journalists after appearing before the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship screening committee in Abuja on Sunday.
The screening, held at the Plateau State Governors’ Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, brought together incumbent governors seeking re‑election ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election. The APC’s National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, chaired the panel that scrutinised the governors’ eligibility and performance.
Fubara arrived at the venue in the morning and participated in the questioning session before exiting the hall. As reporters approached him for comment, the governor responded only with a terse “No comment,” refusing to elaborate on the proceedings or his prospects for the upcoming election.
The event marks the first collective vetting of sitting governors by the ruling party since the 2023 electoral cycle. While the APC has not disclosed the criteria or timeline for issuing its final endorsements, the screening is expected to influence candidate selection for the 2027 race.
Fubara’s brief dismissal of the press has drawn attention from local observers, who note that the governor’s silence may be a tactical move to avoid speculation ahead of the party’s internal deliberations. The Rivers State capital, Port Harcourt, has yet to release an official statement on the governor’s performance at the screening.
The APC’s screening process is part of a broader effort to consolidate party unity and present a cohesive slate of candidates for the 2027 polls. By assessing incumbents’ records, the party aims to address internal dissent and pre‑empt challenges from opposition factions.
As the political calendar turns toward the next general election, the outcomes of the screenings will shape the contours of Nigeria’s electoral landscape. Stakeholders will be watching closely for any indications of how the APC intends to balance continuity with calls for reform among its governing ranks.
