Primaries: Fubara withdraws as APC Gov aspirants emerge in key states

Governor Siminalayi Fubara has withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress governorship primary in Rivers State, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Mr Fubara announced his decision on Wednesday night in a statement titled My Decision to Withdraw from the Rivers State Gubernatorial Primaries, saying he stepped aside to preserve peace, unity, and stability in Rivers State.

“After deep reflection and extensive consultations with my family, friends, and associates, I have taken the difficult but necessary decision to withdraw from the APC gubernatorial primaries,” Mr Fubara stated.

He stressed that the move should not be seen as a weakness, but as a sacrifice in the broader interest of the state.

Mr Fubara’s withdrawal comes after months of internal crisis within the Rivers APC and a prolonged political battle with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike.

Mr Wike was instrumental in Mr Fubara’s emergence as governor in 2023, but both politicians later fell out over control of political structures in the oil-rich state.

The crisis triggered impeachment attempts, legislative battles, and eventually emergency rule in Rivers State in 2025.

President Bola Tinubu had brokered peace deals between both camps, but those agreements later collapsed.

Mr Fubara, who was suspended alongside elected officials during the emergency rule, returned to office after the President lifted the declaration.

His withdrawal is now being viewed as a major turning point in Rivers APC politics ahead of the governorship primaries.

Chinda emerges sole aspirant in Rivers

Before Mr Fubara’s exit, the Rivers APC primary had been one of the most closely watched contests.

Mr 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.

However, Mr Cole and Mr George-Kelly also withdrew from the race, citing party unity and stability.

Their exits leave Mr Chinda as the sole aspirant for the APC governorship primary in Rivers State.

A senior party source said Mr Cole’s withdrawal may further consolidate support for Mr Chinda, who is believed to have backing from influential APC stakeholders.

Disqualification of Fubara loyalists

Political tensions deepened after reports that 32 aspirants allegedly loyal to Mr Fubara were disqualified from the Rivers State House of Assembly primaries.

Among those affected were lawmakers and political allies believed to have supported the governor during the prolonged political crisis.

Some House of Representatives members and former Deputy Governor Ipalibo Banigo-Harry were also reportedly affected by the party’s internal screening decisions.

This has fueled speculation over possible political realignments, although Mr Fubara recently dismissed rumours of defection and reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC.

APC governors, consensus moves in other states

Beyond Rivers, APC primaries across the country are witnessing growing consensus arrangements and strategic withdrawals.

Governors in states such as Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi, Delta, Enugu, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Niger and Sokoto reportedly emerged as consensus aspirants for second terms.

In Kwara State, political competition remains intense as several aspirants are preparing to challenge Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s preferred successor, Yahaya Seriki.

Meanwhile, in Lagos, negotiations continue around Deputy Governor Kadri Hamzat, with some aspirants backing his emergence while others insist on contesting.

The APC is expected to conduct direct primaries in states where consensus arrangements fail.

Party officials fear unresolved disputes could deepen internal divisions ahead of the 2027 governorship elections.

For Rivers State, Mr Fubara’s withdrawal signals a major shift in a political battle that has defined the state’s landscape since 2023.

With Mr Chinda now emerging as the likely APC candidate, all eyes remain on how the outcome may reshape the balance of power between rival political camps.