Rivers Governor Fubara withdraws from APC primary, Wike says

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, stated on Monday that he was not surprised by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s withdrawal from the All Progressives Congress governorship primary election. Wike asserted that Fubara should never have obtained the nomination form, citing a prior political agreement.

Governor Fubara withdrew from the contest last week, ahead of the 2027 election, stating his decision was made in the interest of peace, stability, and unity for the state. His withdrawal came a day before the primary, which was subsequently won by Kingsley Chinda, a member of the House of Representatives and a political ally of Wike.

Speaking to journalists after inspecting infrastructure projects in Abuja, Wike elaborated on the context of Fubara’s decision. He referenced a settlement, brokered with the involvement of President Bola Tinubu, which stipulated that impeachment proceedings against Fubara would be dropped in exchange for the governor not seeking a second term. Wike expressed disappointment that Fubara had initially collected the nomination form, describing it as a breach of that understanding and a lack of political gentlemanliness. He...