Wike: Fubara target of APC’s no automatic ticket policy – Ikila

 

Prof Anthony Ikila, Director of the Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies, has suggested that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, may be a major target of the All Progressives Congress, APC, policy of no automatic tickets for elected office holders.

Ikila made the remark on Wednesday while speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show, where he analysed the political implications of the APC’s stance ahead of future elections.

According to him, the policy could be designed to manage internal party dynamics, particularly in situations where influential political actors are in contention.

He said Fubara’s political situation makes him vulnerable, noting that the governor faces opposition from a serving minister who is both a key party figure and a power broker.

Ikila described the situation as politically complex, adding that the APC and those in power appear to be navigating competing interests within the party.

He said the policy may be part of broader efforts by the party leadership to balance loyalty, control internal dissent and manage rival power blocs.

Ikila, however, cautioned that regardless of the intention behind the policy, it could have negative consequences for internal democracy within the party.

He said: “He might be targeted. It’s also targeted at people like you, so that you will not accuse them of that. But I think whichever way, it is bad.

“It is possible this is targeted at Fubara because Fubara has an opponent, a man who is a Minister, a leader of opposition, a leader of government in power. A very rare essence in the atomic table, as it were, very clear figure who on one side they want to keep, on the other side they struggle to tolerate.

“So it is possible they play different games to assuage this kind of side, the APC and the President and the people in power – a situation where they want to eat their cake and have it. So they’re forced to play this kind of games.”