By Ayo Kehinde
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara and Tonye Cole have formally withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary scheduled to hold on Thursday, leaving the former Minority Leader in the House of Reps, Kingsley Chinda with a no- contest victory. Chinda, until April 27, 2026 was in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
He is the ‘anointed’ candidate of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike with the active support of President Bola Tinubu.
Fubara announced his withdrawal in a statement issued on Wednesday night titled, “My Decision To Withdraw From The Rivers State Gubernatorial Primaries.”
The governor said his decision followed “deep reflection and extensive consultations” with family members, political associates, and supporters, stressing that the peace, stability, and unity of Rivers State must take precedence over personal ambition.
“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. I do so with a full heart and with a firm commitment to support whoever emerges as the candidate of our great party,” Fubara stated.
There had been heightened uncertainty surrounding the governor’s position ahead of the APC governorship primary, following the disqualification of several political figures and aspirants believed to be aligned with his camp, amid growing indications that loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, had consolidated control of the Rivers APC structure.
Before his withdrawal, the APC had cleared four aspirants for the primary election — Fubara, former APC governorship candidate Tonye Cole, George Kelly, and Kingsley Chinda.
Cole had also stepped down from the race earlier on Wednesday, citing party unity and reconciliation.
In his statement, Fubara described leadership as a call to sacrifice, insisting that Rivers State was greater than the ambition of any individual politician.
“Leadership is ultimately about sacrifice. There comes a time when personal ambition must yield to the greater good of the people. 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 said.
The governor acknowledged the disappointment among his supporters, many of whom had invested heavily in his political project, but urged them to remain steadfast and committed to the APC.
“To my supporters who stood firmly with me throughout this journey who gave their time, resources, prayers, and unwavering hope, I offer my deepest gratitude. I understand the disappointment, the anger, and the pain many of you may feel,” he stated.
Fubara also hinted at intense political pressure and difficult behind-the-scenes negotiations, saying his silence in recent weeks had been deliberate and strategic.
“As our elders say, not everything a hunter sees in the forest is spoken of in the marketplace. 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,” he said.
“It is enough to say that I have faced immense pressures and difficult choices, but my love for Rivers State remains greater than anything else.”
The governor expressed appreciation to the APC leadership and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their support and encouragement throughout the process.
“I sincerely thank our great party, the All Progressives Congress, for the platform and support extended to me throughout this process. I also express my profound appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his support and encouragement,” he added.
Fubara maintained that his withdrawal should not be interpreted as weakness, fear, or political surrender, insisting that the decision was taken purely in the interest of preserving peace and unity in Rivers State.
“Let it be clearly understood that I stepped aside from participating in the upcoming Rivers State gubernatorial election not out of weakness, fear, or surrender, but out of conviction and sacrifice so that Rivers State may move forward in peace and unity,” he declared.
He further pledged to continue serving the people of Rivers State until the expiration of his tenure.
Similarly, Cole Cole announced his withdrawal in a statement issued on Wednesday after what he described as extensive consultations with members of his political team, supporters and key stakeholders within the Rivers APC.
His withdrawal comes less than a week after the APC cleared four aspirants including incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Cole, George Kelly and Kingsley Chinda, to participate in the governorship primary.
Against the backdrop of the internal power struggle, Cole said his decision followed a recent stakeholders’ meeting convened by the national leadership of the APC, where discussions centred on the future of the party in Rivers State and the need to present a united front ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“As a committed democrat and a firm believer in the supremacy of strong institutions as the foundation for sustainable development, I have consistently advocated for dialogue, reconciliation, and unity among the various stakeholders and factions within the Rivers State chapter of our great party, the APC.
“Following that meeting, and after extensive consultations with members of my political team, associates, supporters, and other key stakeholders, I have taken the decision, in the overriding interest of party unity, peace, and collective progress, to respect the supremacy of the party and withdraw from the forthcoming primaries,” Cole stated.
Cole also pledged his support to whoever emerges as the APC governorship candidate after Thursday’s exercise.
