Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has sharply dismissed Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s claim of political supremacy, following the governor’s self-styled declaration as “001” of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State.
Fayose argued that political authority is determined by influence and control, not by self-assigned titles, stressing that the true measure of power lies in who commands loyalty, structures, and decision-making within the party. According to him, proclaiming oneself as “001” does not automatically translate into dominance, especially in a political landscape as complex and deeply entrenched as Rivers State.
The former governor maintained that real political leadership is earned through strategic alliances, grassroots acceptance, and sustained relevance, warning that symbolic declarations often mask underlying power struggles rather than resolve them. He added that in Nigerian politics, influence is rarely announced; it is demonstrated through actions and outcomes.
Fayose’s comments come amid growing debates within the APC in Rivers State over leadership, control of party machinery, and allegiance, highlighting the widening cracks and competing power centers ahead of future electoral contests.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television recently, Fayose argued that political leadership is defined by who truly controls the structure, drawing parallels with Lagos State politics. According to him, despite having a sitting governor, Lagos remains firmly under the influence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Leadership is not about office; it is about influence,” Fayose said. “The president I know detests ingratitude. He controls Lagos from the palm of his hands. There was a time the Speaker was removed in Lagos, and without the president saying a word, the system corrected itself and restored him. That tells you who the leader really is.”
He questioned claims of political dominance by sitting governors, warning against confusing constitutional authority with control of party machinery and political loyalty.
“Can anyone truly say Governor Sanwo-Olu is the political leader of Lagos? Let him come out and make that claim. There are things people say for optics. Don’t let it get into your head,” Fayose cautioned.
Turning to Rivers State, Fayose described the declaration of emergency rule as a political lifeline that ultimately worked in Fubara’s favour, shielding him from impeachment and a premature exit from office.
“The emergency rule saved Governor Fubara. Without it, he would have been history by now. Once you are impeached, you are gone, and you can’t even contest again,” he stated.
Fayose maintained that President Tinubu’s role has been central to the unfolding political dynamics in Rivers, stressing that the president ultimately outmanoeuvred the governor in the power contest.
“If you carefully read the contest, President Tinubu took Governor Fubara to the cleaners. It is time for him to learn, just as I learnt after my first tenure as governor,” Fayose added.
The former governor’s comments come against the backdrop of the prolonged political rift in Rivers State, marked by a fierce struggle for control between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
In December 2025, Fubara formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, a move that reshaped the state’s political alignment. At the flag-off ceremony of the Rivers Airport Bypass Project on December 12, he publicly pledged loyalty to the ruling party and President Tinubu, declaring himself the party’s top member in the state.
“Today, I am very happy. I am not just a member of the APC; I am the number one. I have collected my membership card, and the form is 001,” Fubara had said.
However, Fayose’s remarks suggest that, beyond ceremonial declarations and party cards, Rivers politics like Lagos may still be firmly anchored in the influence of President Tinubu.