By Boluwatife Oshadiya | May 21, 2026
Key Points
- Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara has withdrawn from the APC governorship primaries ahead of 2027 elections
- Fubara said the decision was taken to preserve peace, stability and unity in Rivers State
- The governor pledged support for whoever emerges as the party’s eventual candidate
Main Story
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has formally withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries ahead of the 2027 governorship election in the state.
Fubara announced his withdrawal in a statement issued to journalists in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, describing the move as a sacrifice made in the interest of peace and stability in Rivers State.
The governor said the decision followed extensive consultations with family members, political associates and supporters.
“Leadership is ultimately about sacrifice. There comes a time when personal ambition must yield to the greater good of the people,” Fubara said.
He added that Rivers State’s unity must take precedence over individual political interests at a critical period in the state’s political evolution.
Fubara also reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC and pledged support for the eventual governorship candidate of the party.
“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,” he stated.
The governor acknowledged that many supporters would feel disappointed by the decision but urged party loyalists to remain committed to the APC’s broader political objectives.
He further described his recent silence on political developments as “deliberate and strategic,” insisting that certain decisions were made for the long-term stability of the state.
Fubara also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his support and encouragement throughout the political process.
Despite stepping aside from the primary race, the governor maintained that his decision should not be interpreted as weakness or political surrender.
“I stepped aside not out of fear or weakness, but out of conviction and sacrifice so that Rivers State may move forward in peace and unity,” he said.
The Issues
Fubara’s withdrawal comes amid prolonged political tensions within Rivers State’s power structure and ongoing realignments within the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The decision is likely to reshape political calculations in Rivers, one of Nigeria’s most strategically important oil-producing states, where party supremacy battles and leadership disputes have intensified in recent years.
Political analysts say the move could temporarily reduce tensions within rival blocs in the state, although questions remain over the eventual balance of power ahead of the governorship election cycle.
What’s Being Said
“Some truths are best borne quietly, not out of fear, but out of wisdom and restraint for the sake of peace and a greater purpose,” Fubara said in his statement.
“This development may reduce immediate political tension within Rivers APC, but succession politics in the state remains far from settled,” said political analyst Jide Ojo.
What’s Next
- The APC in Rivers State is expected to intensify consultations ahead of the governorship primaries
- Attention will shift to possible frontrunners likely to emerge as consensus candidates within the party
- Political stakeholders are expected to monitor whether Fubara’s withdrawal eases tensions across rival camps in the state
The Bottom Line: Fubara’s withdrawal signals a strategic political recalibration in Rivers State rather than an exit from influence. The decision may temporarily stabilise the APC’s internal dynamics, but the broader struggle for political control in Rivers remains unresolved.
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