Civil rights activist and Niger Delta advocate, Ann-Kio Briggs, has accused the All Progressives Congress(APC), of failing to give Governor Siminalayi Fubara the assurances usually accorded to incumbent governors ahead of the 2027 elections in Rivers State.
Speaking virtually on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, Briggs said Rivers people were worried by the uncertainty surrounding Fubara’s political future despite his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC.
According to her, the governor had not been given the “right of first refusal” normally enjoyed by sitting governors seeking a second term.
“From what we are seeing, that is not what has happened to Governor Siminalayi Fubara,” she said.
Briggs said the political crisis in Rivers State, which she traced back to 2023, had continued to destabilise governance and create tension within the state.
“The concern starts from 2023. We have had to live with actions that have constantly destabilised the governor from governing Rivers State the way we believe he should govern,” she said.
She questioned why other political figures were allegedly being positioned within the APC despite not formally defecting to the ruling party.
“Why should Chinda, who is in PDP now, be contesting on an APC platform? If he is contesting with the governor on APC, then we are right to assume that something is fundamentally wrong with what APC is doing,” Briggs stated.
The activist also alleged that several politicians perceived to be loyal to Fubara had been disqualified from contesting elective positions within the party.
Among those she mentioned were Senator Ipalibo Banigo and businessman Jack Rich.
“She qualified four years ago. She is a medical doctor, a former deputy governor and a serving senator. Why is she suddenly not qualified?” Briggs asked while referring to Banigo.
Briggs criticised the growing political influence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, accusing him of attempting to control the political structure of Rivers State.
“The Federal Capital Territory minister is not the ruler or emperor of Rivers State. Rivers people have decided whom they will support,” she said.
She further warned that the ongoing political tensions in Rivers State could negatively affect both the APC and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election.
“You cannot remove or disrespect a governor that is wanted by the people and assume everything is going to be alright,” Briggs said.
The activist maintained that Rivers people would continue to resist what she described as attempts to undermine their political rights and destabilise the state.
“What is happening today has everything in it to destabilise Nigeria,” she added.