The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has announced his withdrawal from the primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to elect a candidate for the 2027 governorship race in the state after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu yesterday evening in Lagos. The President has been in Lagos for the APC primaries.
Fubara, in a statement he personally signed yesterday, said he would support whoever emerges as the party’s candidate.
“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. I do so with a full heart and with a firm commitment to support whoever emerges as the candidate of our great party,” Fubara said.
The governor said leadership is ultimately about sacrifice, adding that 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.”
Speaking further, he said: “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.
“Much has indeed been invested and much sacrificed along the way. But please know that your loyalty and trust were never in vain. My silence over this period was deliberate and strategic, guided always by the higher interest of our state and our people.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“The APC remains our collective home, and I urge all party faithful and supporters to remain steadfast and committed as we continue to build a stronger and more united future together.
“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, and I remain committed to serving the good people of Rivers State till the end of my term”.
Coincidentally, another APC leader in the state, Tonye Cole, who was also planning to contest for the keys to the Government House in Port Harcourt, has dropped out of the race, saying his decision was, among other reasons, in the interest of the party’s unity.
Recall that Cole is one of the aspirants for the APC primary election scheduled to hold today. He also contested the 2023 governorship election in the state.
Others who obtained forms to seek the party’s ticket in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections are former Commissioner for Works, Dakorinama George-Kelly, and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda.
Cole, in a statement released yesterday, said that though his decision was painful, it was in obedience to far-reaching resolutions reached concerning the future of the party in the state and the need to present a united front after several meetings convened by the APC national leadership.
He said following the outcome of the meetings, he had made extensive consultations with his team, associates, supporters, family, and other key stakeholders before deciding to withdraw in the interest of the party’s unity, peace, and collective progress.
Cole also described himself as a loyal party man, a committed democrat, and a firm believer in the supremacy of strong institutions, who has always advocated dialogue, reconciliation, and unity among the various stakeholders and factions within the Rivers State chapter of the APC.
The statement partly reads: “I would like to address an important development regarding tomorrow’s primaries.
“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.
“In recent days, the national leadership of our party convened a critical stakeholders’ meeting during which far-reaching discussions were held on the future of the Rivers APC and the imperative of presenting a united front ahead of the primaries and the 2027 general elections.
“Following that meeting, and after extensive consultations with members of my political team, associates, supporters, and other key stakeholders, I have made 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.
“Accordingly, I wish to formally announce my withdrawal from the race and pledge my full support and cooperation to whoever emerges as the party’s candidate at the conclusion of the primaries.”
