Political tension in Rivers State has been further inflamed by a wave of online misinformation falsely claiming Vice-President Kashim Shettima endorsed Governor Siminalayi Fubara as the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. The viral claim, which suggested Shettima made the statement to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has been thoroughly debunked by fact-checking and a review of the Vice-President's actual remarks.
Viral Claim Sparks Fresh Political Debate
The false narrative spread rapidly across blogs, social media platforms, and online forums throughout the first week of January 2026. Several posts alleged that Vice-President Shettima issued the remark while responding to comments made by Minister Wike during a press briefing in Port Harcourt. Many users interpreted this fabricated statement as an official endorsement of Governor Fubara's claim to the APC leadership in Rivers State, a move that would significantly undermine Wike's political influence.
One widely circulated version of the claim even asserted that Shettima had "warned" the FCT Minister to respect party hierarchy, arguing that governors are the recognised leaders of their parties in their respective states. This misinformation gained traction against a backdrop of intense political rivalry and uncertainty.
Rivers APC Leadership Tussle Fuels Speculation
The false claim found fertile ground due to the heightened political tension in Rivers State following Governor Siminalayi Fubara's recent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC. This major political shift, which occurred in late 2025, immediately raised critical questions about who controls the party structure in the oil-rich state.
Governor Fubara has publicly described himself as the APC's leader in Rivers. However, Nyesom Wike, who remains a powerful figure within the PDP, has dismissed that assertion. Wike insists he retains significant influence and dominance over the APC's political machinery in the state, creating a complex and volatile power struggle.
What Vice-President Shettima Actually Said
Factual investigations reveal that the comments being misrepresented online were made by Vice-President Shettima at a completely separate political event in October 2025. The occasion was the welcoming of Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, into the APC.
During his speech, Shettima explained the party's convention regarding leadership at the state level. "As far as the APC constitution is concerned, the governor is the leader of the party in the state," Mr. Shettima stated. Addressing Governor Mbah directly, he added, "You are now the leader of the APC family in Enugu State."
He cited similar examples across the country, noting that APC governors are recognised as party leaders in their states. Crucially, a full review of his speech confirms that Shettima did not mention Nyesom Wike, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, or Rivers State at any point. His remarks were general, aimed at explaining internal party protocol, and were made weeks before Governor Fubara's defection to the APC.
Unrelated Arrest Adds to Political Climate
Amidst this climate of misinformation and political rivalry, a separate incident involving Minister Wike was reported. On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the arrest of a Port Harcourt-based religious leader, Tombari Gbeneol. He was detained over allegations of plotting to assassinate the FCT Minister. The police stated that further information would be provided after interrogation was completed.
In conclusion, the claim that Vice-President Kashim Shettima endorsed Governor Fubara as the Rivers APC leader in a conversation with Nyesom Wike is a clear case of misinformation. The Vice-President's comments were generic, made in a different context in October 2025, and unrelated to the current Rivers State political crisis. This incident highlights how pre-existing political tensions can be exploited to spread false narratives, further complicating Nigeria's complex political landscape.
