Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The governorship race within the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State narrowed significantly on Wednesday following the withdrawal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, former governorship candidate Tonye Cole and George-Kelly Alabo from the contest.
The withdrawals have placed House of Representatives member, Ogundu Chinda, in a strong position to emerge as the APC governorship candidate in the state.
Chinda, who represents Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, is regarded as a loyalist and kinsman of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Cole, who flew the APC governorship flag during the 2023 general elections, was the first major aspirant to step aside from the 2027 race.
Governor Fubara later announced his withdrawal in a statement on Wednesday, saying his decision was guided by the need to preserve peace, unity and stability in Rivers State.
Shortly after Fubara’s announcement, George-Kelly Alabo also withdrew from the contest, further reducing opposition within the party ahead of the governorship primary.
The developments came as Wike arrived in Port Harcourt ahead of the APC governorship primary amid heightened political activities in the state.
Fubara and Wike have remained locked in a prolonged political dispute despite several reconciliation meetings and peace efforts.
Reacting to the latest developments, human rights lawyer Chetam Nwala claimed the governor was never fully interested in the race.
“He has never been in the race. He was pretending all along, as he has always done,” Nwala said.
