The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has linked the withdrawal of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, from the 2027 governorship race to a political peace arrangement aimed at stabilising the state.
Wike said the development was not unexpected, insisting it formed part of understandings reached during reconciliation talks involving key political actors in Rivers State.
The former Rivers governor spoke on Monday while briefing journalists after inspecting ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja.
Fubara had recently stepped down from the All Progressives Congress governorship primary, saying his decision followed consultations and was taken 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 came after careful reflection and discussions with family, allies and associates.
But Wike maintained that the withdrawal aligned with earlier political negotiations, arguing that the governor’s participation in the primary in the first place ran contrary to the spirit of the agreement.
“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.
According to him, part of the reconciliation deal included shelving impeachment threats against Fubara on the condition that he would not pursue a second term in office.
Wike further argued that Fubara’s earlier political moves complicated peace efforts in the state, despite interventions aimed at restoring stability.
“But whatever it is, he has withdrawn and somebody has emerged,” he added.
The FCT minister also expressed confidence in the emergence of House of Representatives member, Kingsley Chinda, describing him as a “political material” with the experience required to lead the state.
“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,” Wike stated.
He added that political stakeholders were already gravitating towards Chinda, hinting at growing support for his candidacy ahead of the 2027 elections.
The latest remarks underscore the continuing political realignment in Rivers State, where reconciliation efforts between key factions have shaped emerging alignments ahead of the next general election.
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