Public policy analyst and political communications strategist, Kenny Okolugbo, has criticised Siminalayi Fubara over his decision to purchase a governorship nomination form for a second term bid.
The comments followed Governor Fubara’s recent withdrawal from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s programme, Prime Time, Okolugbo claimed that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had previously made it clear that there was an understanding that Fubara would not seek re-election for a second term.
Okolugbo, who previously served as an aide to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, argued that Fubara should not have proceeded with the purchase of the nomination form given the political realities within the state.
According to him, the governor was already facing stiff opposition from members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“Wike made it very clear and didn’t hide the fact that there was an agreement of Fubara not going for a second term,” Okolugbo said.
“But the more time drew closer, the more it looked like Fubara was going to breach the agreement.”
He further stated that the governor’s strained relationship with lawmakers placed him in a politically difficult position.
“When you have 30 members of the House of Assembly and 27 of them are against you, you must try to poach them and if you can’t poach them, then you must capitulate,” he added.
The latest remarks add to the growing political tension and public debate surrounding the ongoing power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Wike, in Rivers State.
