Fubara Pulls Out of APC Primaries as Rivers Rift Deepens
By: Abudu Olalekan
Fresh talks are spreading through Rivers State politics after Governor Siminalayi Fubara chose not to enter the APC’s governorship race. Though expected to run, his exit has shifted expectations quietly building toward 2027. Behind closed doors, allies began questioning what path he now plans instead. Some whisper about new alliances forming beneath the surface. Others watch closely how power balances might tilt without him in the contest. For now, silence speaks louder than any announcement could.
Fubara stepped back from the contest midweek, signing his own note to say he’d stand behind whichever person wins the party nod. Though a few backers saw it coming, others blinked hard when news broke – especially as rifts within Rivers’ APC grow louder by the day.
He said the choice followed meetings with those around him, held more than once.
“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 governorship primaries,” he said. “I remain fully committed to supporting whoever becomes the candidate of our great party.”
Offstage, the fight for power in Rivers started long before now.
Word spreads low, yet it spreads. Some in the party view the latest moves as proof that backers of Nyesom Wieve, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, are pulling tighter hold over the APC’s setup locally. Not loud – just murmurs – but folks are watching.
Few politicians once seen backing Fubara have vanished from the APC’s last lineup of approved candidates for Rivers State assembly polls, Reportersroom noted before.
One of those present was ex-faction leader Victor Oko-Jumbo, once the Speaker. Not far behind stood Chijioke Ihunwo, past chair of Obio/Akpor council. Each stepped clearly into view when tensions split the state’s leadership camp apart. Their actions marked key moments in that stretched-out clash for control.
Even so, officials tied to Wike – like Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol and House Leader Major Jack – got approval to run. While that unfolded, their path opened without delay. Only then did the process move forward. Not long after, barriers lifted for them. Just like that, they stood eligible again.
Out of nowhere, Fubara stepping away from the primaries could push Rivers into sharper friction soon. Tension between the two sides has stayed high for some time now. In fact, his exit seems to have poured oil on what was already burning.
