The path now appears clearer for 10th National Assembly member Ogundu Chinda to secure the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State following the withdrawal of key contenders ahead of the party’s primaries.
Chinda, who represents Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency and is regarded as a political ally and kinsman of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is now considered the leading aspirant in the race.
The latest political twist followed the announcement by incumbent Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara that he was stepping down from the governorship contest.
In a statement personally signed on Wednesday, Fubara said his decision was motivated by his desire to promote peace and stability within the state.
Shortly after Fubara’s withdrawal, another aspirant, George-Kelly Alabo, also reportedly pulled out of the APC governorship race.
Earlier, the APC’s 2023 governorship candidate in Rivers State, Tonye Cole, had likewise announced his withdrawal from the 2027 contest.
The exit of Fubara, Cole and Alabo ahead of Thursday’s APC governorship primaries is widely seen as significantly boosting Chinda’s chances of emerging as the party’s flag bearer.
Meanwhile, Wike, who previously served as governor of Rivers State, recently arrived in Port Harcourt ahead of the APC primaries, further intensifying political discussions surrounding the contest.
The latest development also means that Governor Fubara will not seek re-election in 2027 under the current arrangement.
Fubara and Wike have remained locked in a prolonged political crisis despite several reconciliation efforts and peace agreements brokered by political stakeholders.
Reacting to Fubara’s withdrawal, human rights lawyer Chetam Nwala alleged that the governor was never genuinely committed to the governorship race.
“He has never been in the race. He was pretending all along, as he has always done,” Nwala claimed.
The political situation in Rivers State continues to attract national attention as alignments and power struggles ahead of the 2027 elections intensify.
