Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara pulled out of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary late Wednesday night, saying his decision was aimed at protecting peace, unity, and stability in the state.
Recall that APC is preparing for a crucial round of governorship primaries across the country today, with mounting political tension in several states ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Efforts by party leaders in many states to adopt consensus candidates have sparked controversy, as some aspirants rejected the arrangement and demanded open contests to determine the party’s flagbearers.
Attention has particularly focused on Rivers, Adamawa, Kwara, and Plateau states, where internal party battles have shaped the political atmosphere before the primaries.
Siminalayi Fubara announced his withdrawal in a statement titled “My Decision to Withdraw from the Rivers State Gubernatorial Primaries.”
According to him, the decision followed consultations with family members, friends, and political associates.
Fubara admitted that stepping down was difficult but insisted it was necessary for the greater interest of Rivers people.
He pledged support for whoever eventually emerges as the APC governorship candidate, stressing that leadership sometimes requires personal sacrifice.
According to the governor, Rivers State’s stability and unity should take precedence over individual ambition at a sensitive political moment.
He also appreciated his supporters for standing by him throughout the political process, acknowledging their prayers, loyalty, and encouragement.
Fubara noted that his recent silence over political developments in the state was intentional and guided by what he described as the “higher interest” of Rivers State.
He maintained that his withdrawal should not be seen as a sign of weakness or surrender, but rather as a deliberate sacrifice intended to preserve peace within the state and the party.
The governor further expressed gratitude to the APC leadership and President Bola Tinubu for their support and encouragement during the process.
His exit from the race comes after months of intense political conflict within the Rivers APC, largely driven by the long-running rivalry between him and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Before withdrawing, Fubara had reportedly appeared before the party’s screening committee in Abuja, where sources said tensions arose during the exercise, leading to his abrupt departure from the venue without speaking to journalists.
Political uncertainty deepened after reports emerged that all 32 aspirants believed to be loyal to the governor were disqualified from the Rivers State House of Assembly primaries.
Among those reportedly affected were lawmakers linked to the governor during the state’s prolonged political crisis, including allies of former factional Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo.
Some House of Representatives members believed to be aligned with Fubara, including Awaji-Inombek Abiante and Boma Goodhead, were also said to have failed to secure tickets to contest again.
Former Deputy Governor and Rivers West Senator, Ipalibo Banigo-Harry, another politician regarded as close to Fubara, was similarly affected by the disqualification process.
Despite widespread speculation about a possible defection, Fubara recently reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC during a project inspection in Port Harcourt.
Political tension, however, remains high across Rivers State as different camps await the outcome of the governorship primary, which is expected to influence the state’s political future ahead of 2027.
The political feud between Fubara and Wike has persisted since 2023, shortly after Fubara assumed office as governor with Wike’s backing.
Their disagreement, rooted in the struggle for control of Rivers political structures, survived multiple reconciliation efforts reportedly facilitated by President Tinubu.
The crisis eventually escalated into the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State in 2025.
Fubara and other elected officials were suspended for six months before the emergency rule was lifted later that year, allowing the governor to return to office.
Meanwhile, lawmakers loyal to Wike resumed moves to impeach Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, earlier this year.
Elsewhere, governors in states including Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi, Delta, Enugu, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Niger, and Sokoto emerged as consensus candidates for second terms.
Before the latest withdrawals in Rivers, Fubara had been expected to face Minority Leader of the House of Representatives Kingsley Chinda, former Commissioner for Works Dakorinama George-Kelly, and businessman Tonye Cole in the APC primary.
However, both Cole and George-Kelly stepped down on Wednesday, leaving Chinda as the only aspirant in the race.
In his withdrawal statement, Tonye Cole said he chose to step aside after consultations with party stakeholders and in recognition of agreements reached during meetings organised by the APC national leadership.
Cole explained that maintaining party unity and presenting a common front ahead of the 2027 elections influenced his decision.
He described himself as a loyal APC member committed to reconciliation and internal harmony within the Rivers chapter of the party.
The former gubernatorial candidate also urged his supporters to remain calm and united, while promising to back whoever emerges victorious in the primary election.
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