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Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara walked out of the All Progressives Congress (APC) screening session on Sunday after approximately 20 minutes, according to a report.
Fubara arrived at the Plateau Governor’s Lodge, the screening venue, around 3 pm. He had been absent from Saturday’s session, during which most other incumbent governors were screened.
When approached by reporters after the session, Fubara said, “No comment,” and left the venue, Daily Trust reported.
According to a Daily Trust report, screening committee members have typically escorted governors seeking re-election or senatorial tickets out of the venue as a gesture of respect. That did not occur for Fubara.
The committee members reportedly left the room six minutes after Fubara’s departure.
The screening session was presided over by APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Dalori.
Speaking to journalists after the session, APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, said the screening process was ongoing.
“I don’t know what you mean by ‘screened.’ Anyone who appears before the committee does so as a necessary part of the process. Once the committee has seen everyone, they will sit down and produce a report. As of now, there is no report from the screening committee,” Basiru said.
On Saturday, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda addressed Fubara’s initial absence, attributing it to official government duties.
“Why single one person out? Three governors have not appeared yet, and they all have their reasons. They are chief executives with urgent issues to attend to,” Yilwatda said.
He added that the party remains flexible, saying, “Anytime they are free, they can call the committee and we will screen them at their convenience.”
Among those screened were Abba Yusuf (Kano), Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Caleb Muftwang (Plateau), Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Umar Bago (Niger), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Bassey Otu (Cross River), and Ahmed Aliyu (Sokoto).
“So far, we have screened over 14 governors and the exercise is still ongoing,” an anonymous APC official told PUNCH.
