Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Yilwatda explained that Fubara willingly decided to withdraw from the race after successfully completing every stage required by the party.
According to him, the Rivers governor purchased the APC nomination forms, appeared before the screening committee and was cleared to participate in the primary election before later choosing to step down on his own.
Yilwatda maintained that the decision was entirely personal and had nothing to do with pressure from the party or any political figure.
“He stepped down on his own. It was his personal decision. He bought the forms, came for screening, passed the screening process, and we were preparing for the primaries before he later chose to withdraw,” he said.
The APC chairman also rejected claims linking the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to Fubara’s withdrawal from the contest.
He insisted that Wike is not a member of the APC and did not interfere in the party’s internal process regarding the governorship race.
