National chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda has explained why Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, is yet to be formally welcomed into the party.

While Speaking on TVC Politics, he attributed the delay to strategic considerations surrounding the upcoming Ramadan fast.

He stated that the party deliberately prioritised the formal reception of governors from the northern part of the country who recently defected to the APC because of the religious sensitivity associated with Ramadan.

According to Yilwatda, the party opted to clear activities in the North first due to the large Muslim population in the region and the proximity of Ramadan, noting that political engagements during the fasting period require careful handling.

“We decided to clear the North first because Ramadan is coming, and most of the people in the North are Muslims.

“Ramadan is a very sensitive period, so we pleaded that we finish with the northern governors who defected before moving to the South,” he said.

The APC chairman stressed that the decision was purely strategic and rooted in respect for religious and cultural sensitivities across different regions of the country.

Yilwatda also dismissed suggestions that the delay in Governor Fubara’s official reception had anything to do with internal control issues within the party or the influence of former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.

“It has nothing to do with Sim not having control. It is about strategy and understanding the sensitivities of each community,” he added.

He assured party members and supporters that Governor Fubara would be formally welcomed into the APC at the appropriate time once activities in the North are concluded.