Rivers Governor Fubara Withdraws from APC Governorship Primary Amid Wike Supremacy Battle

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara announced on May 20 that he was withdrawing from the APC governorship primary election for the 2027 electoral cycle, describing the decision as 'difficult but necessary' following consultations with family and associates. The withdrawal is widely attributed to the ongoing and bitter factional battle with Nyesom Wike — Fubara's predecessor as Rivers State governor, now serving as Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister — who controls a rival faction within the Rivers State APC that has consistently undermined Fubara since 2023. Fubara stated he would support whoever emerges as the APC candidate. The development came on the eve of the APC's nationwide governorship primaries and raised questions about the stability of APC's electoral prospects in Rivers State for 2027. Political analysts noted that the Fubara-Wike conflict had already triggered the impeachment of the Rivers State Speaker and created a legislative crisis that required Supreme Court intervention in 2024.