Fayose queries Fubara’s 001 stance, says Sanwo-Olu can’t try such in Lagos

Former Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose, has stirred fresh political debate after questioning Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s self declaration as the political “number one” of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State.

He spoke when he appeared on Arise TV aired on Tuesday.

During the programme, Fayose drew a parallel with the political structure in Lagos State, arguing that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu cannot lay claim to being the political leader with President Bola Tinubu’s influence.

He insisted that such authority resides with the President, a former governor of the state.

Fayose recalled the recent impeachment and subsequent reinstatement of the Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, describing the reversal as a clear demonstration of Tinubu’s overriding influence in the state’s political affairs.

“The president that I know hates ingratitude. He controls Lagos from the palms of his hands. For instance, the speaker was impeached and another person took over in Lagos State.

“The president, without saying a word, caused the system to restore that speaker because it was an affront to the president, who is the leader,” Fayose said.

He added that, “Will you tell me Sanwo-Olu is the leader in Lagos? Let him come out and say he is the leader in the state. There are certain things that are said to create aesthetics. Don’t let it get to your head”.

Fayose described the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State as a political lifeline for Governor Fubara, arguing that it saved him from imminent political extinction.

“The emergency rule was a win-win situation for Governor Fubara because by now he would have been history. The moment you are impeached, you are out of the way and cannot contest again,” he said.

He further noted that President Tinubu’s political intervention had placed Fubara in a position to reflect and learn, just as he himself did after his first tenure as governor of Ekiti State.

“If you read the account of President Tinubu, he took Governor Fubara to the cleaners. It is time for Governor Fubara to learn, the way I learnt after my first tenure as governor,” Fayose stated.

The remarks come amid a prolonged political feud between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, over the control of Rivers State’s political structure.

In December 2025, Fubara defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.

During the flag off of the Rivers Airport Bypass Project on December 12, he publicly declared his loyalty to the ruling party and President Tinubu, announcing himself as “number one” in the party in the state.

“Today, I am very happy. I am not just a member of the All Progressives Congress; I am the number one. I have collected my membership card and the form is 001,” Fubara said.

“So, from this moment, I am there with all my chest and heart. The message is clear: we are going to do everything to make the 2027 election for Mr President a smooth ride in Rivers State.

“How do we do it? It is with all of you here. With your support. The only way we can continue to tell Mr President thank you is to support him,” he added.

Fubara’s defection followed the movement of 15 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, including Speaker Martin Amaewhule, to the APC.

However, Wike later dismissed Fubara’s leadership claim, insisting that party registration is conducted at ward and local government levels and that there is no statewide “001” position.

“He decamped to APC with whom? What is 001? Let me tell you, there is nothing like 001 in the state,” Wike said.

“You register in your ward and local government, so if you are 001, it is in your ward. There is nothing like 001 at the state level.

“You could be the first person to register, but that is not your position. Leadership is not because I am a governor. Leadership is not because I am a minister. You must have something that makes you a leader,” he added.

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