The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Monday said the withdrawal of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, from the 2027 governorship race aligns with the peace agreement aimed at stabilising the state.
Wike stated this on Monday while briefing journalists after inspecting infrastructure projects in Abuja.
He said the development was consistent with understandings reached during reconciliation efforts involving key political actors in Rivers State.
Fubara recently stepped down from the All Progressives Congress governorship primaries, saying his decision was taken after consultations and in the interest of peace, unity, and stability in the state.
In a statement titled “My Decision to Withdraw from the Rivers State Gubernatorial Primaries,” the governor said the move followed careful reflection and discussions with family, allies, and associates.
Wike, however, maintained that the withdrawal was not unexpected, arguing that it aligned with earlier agreements reached during peace negotiations.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu intervened in the crisis between Wike and Fubara, including supervising a peace pact signed by the two sides before Fubara went against the terms, a move that led to the state of emergency in the state.
The President also met with the gladiators again before the cessation of the state of emergency of September 18, 2025, with Fubara stating that he was ready to sacrifice even his position for peace to reign in Rivers State.
According to the former governor, part of the understanding included dropping impeachment threats against Fubara on the condition that he would not seek a second term.
Wike also faulted the governor’s earlier decision to obtain nomination forms of the APC, saying it ran contrary to the spirit of the agreement and complicated reconciliation efforts.
“I am not surprised that the governor withdrew. In the first place, he ought not to have collected the form, because agreement was reached that the impeachment should be dropped, while he should also not go about a second term,” Wike said.
He added that the governor’s earlier actions “did not show signs of gentlemanship” despite several interventions aimed at restoring stability.
“But whatever it is, he has withdrawn, and somebody has emerged,” he stated.
Wike also expressed confidence in Kingsley Chinda’s political credentials, describing the lawmaker as a suitable candidate for the governorship position.
The minister added, “A good product markets itself. Everybody knows that Kingsley Chinda is the material.
“He’s quite experienced. He has worked with the executive and is now in the legislature. I am sure that he must have been approached by the All Progressives Congress to join them and then get the ticket.”
Meanwhile, stakeholders under the aegis of Rivers Professionals have hailed the emergence of Chinda as the governorship candidate of the APC in Rivers State.
They called on other stakeholders and residents to massively support him, pointing out that if elected, Chinda possessed the capacity and competence to ensure inclusive governance in the state.
Its Director of Publicity, Nimi Solomon, in a statement in Port Harcourt on Monday, said Chinda’s emergence was a positive step towards competent leadership in Rivers.
“Chinda’s reputation as an astute and detribalised professional has earned him respect across ethnic, professional, and political lines.
“Rivers State needs a leader whose vision transcends divisions and whose commitment to service is anchored on merit, fairness, and development.
“Hon O. K. Chinda is an astute, detribalised professional with the leadership experience required to move Rivers State forward. His emergence signals a refreshing shift toward competence, integrity, and inclusive governance,” the stakeholders stated.
The political crisis in Rivers State stems from a protracted power struggle between Wike and his political successor, Fubara.
The dispute began shortly after Fubara assumed office in May 2023, following Wike’s eight-year tenure as governor.
Although both men belong to the same political family, their relationship quickly deteriorated over control of the state’s political structure, including loyalty networks within the Rivers State House of Assembly and the ruling party apparatus.
Tensions escalated into a full-blown institutional crisis marked by a factional split in the House of Assembly, impeachment threats against the governor, and competing claims over legislative leadership.
The disagreement also triggered legal battles and interventions by political stakeholders at both the state and national levels.
Efforts at reconciliation produced multiple agreements aimed at restoring stability, including arrangements on power sharing and political realignments.
