Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The dramatic political journey of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara came to an abrupt halt on the night of Wednesday, May 20, 2026. Just hours before the APC governorship primary scheduled for Thursday, May 21, he formally withdrew from the race, stating unequivocally that the decision was made not from a place of fear, but from conviction and a sacrifice for Rivers State to "move forward in peace and unity."
In a personally signed statement titled “My Decision to Withdraw from the Rivers State Gubernatorial Primaries,” Governor Fubara explained that the difficult choice followed deep reflection and extensive consultations with family, friends, and political associates. His announcement came after a late-night meeting with President Bola Tinubu, who was in Lagos for the APC primaries, and it confirmed earlier exclusive reports by news outlets that his political future within the party was in doubt.
According to the governor, there comes a time when personal ambition must yield to the greater good. “Rivers State is bigger than any individual, and at this critical moment, the peace, stability, and unity of our dear state must take precedence over every personal interest,” Fubara said. He pledged to support whoever emerges as the party’s candidate and expressed profound appreciation to President Tinubu for his support and encouragement. In a hint at the intense political pressure he faced, Fubara invoked a local proverb, noting that “not everything a hunter sees in the forest is spoken of in the marketplace,” and that “some truths are best borne quietly, not out of fear, but out of wisdom and restraint for the sake of peace”.
The governor’s withdrawal did not occur in a vacuum. On Monday, May 18, the APC had disqualified dozens of Fubara’s loyalists from contesting the Rivers State House of Assembly primaries. A list released by the party showed that over 60 aspirants linked to the governor were denied clearance, while those aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike were cleared. This decision followed weeks of intense political wrangling. Just ten days earlier, on Sunday, May 10, Fubara had stormed out angrily after spending only 20 minutes at the APC screening venue in Abuja, refusing to speak to journalists. At that time, the party’s National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, declined to confirm whether the governor had actually been screened. The writing was on the wall: the APC structure in Rivers State was firmly in the hands of the Wike camp.
Fubara’s exit triggered a swift chain reaction. Tonye Cole, the party’s 2023 governorship candidate, also pulled out of the race, citing party unity and reconciliation. Shortly after, Alabo George-Kelly, another frontline aspirant, withdrew, pledging support for whoever emerges as the party’s candidate. The governor’s decision has effectively ceded the field to Kingsley Chinda, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives and a known ally of Minister Wike.
Despite the political defeat, analysts suggest Fubara’s withdrawal ensures he will serve out the remainder of his current tenure without the threat of a disruptive primary challenger backed by the Federal Government. Having purchased the APC forms earlier in the month, his exit signals the end of a bitter power struggle with his estranged godfather, Nyesom Wike. For now, the political heat in Port Harcourt has subsided. “Let it be clearly understood that I stepped aside not out of weakness, fear, or surrender,” Fubara insisted. “I remain committed to serving the good people of Rivers State till the end of my term.”
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