Even If The Governor Is Not in Our Party, You Can’t Refer to An Elected Governor as a ‘so-called gov' - APC

According to a report by the Punch on Sunday, January 4, 2026, amid the escalating political feud in Rivers State, a senior national official of the All Progressives Congress has issued a strong rebuke against derogatory language used towards Governor Siminalayi Fubara. 

The criticism follows comments by the party's National Vice Chairman for the South-South, Victor Giadom, who had referred to Fubara as a "so-called governor."

APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, condemned this disrespect, emphasizing the sanctity of the gubernatorial office. 

He asserted, "Even if the governor is not in our party, you can’t refer to an elected governor as a ‘so-called governor’ in order to please anybody." 

Basiru described the remark as "unbecoming" for a party official and stressed that the office of a governor demands respect irrespective of political differences.

This censure from the party's national secretariat underscores a significant divide within the APC's own ranks regarding the Rivers crisis. 

While some figures like Giadom align with Minister Nyesom Wike's hostile stance, the party's national leadership is publicly reinforcing its support for Fubara as a sitting governor on their platform.

Basiru's statement reinforces the APC's official position of identifying with and supporting Governor Fubara. 

It serves as a warning to party members that public disrespect towards a sitting governor—especially one from their own party—will not be tolerated, even to curry favor with powerful external allies like Wike.

The incident highlights the complex loyalty dynamics at play, where the national party machinery is attempting to assert its authority and uphold institutional respect, while navigating a conflict with a influential minister who commands significant local support but remains outside the party's formal structure.