Fubara withdraws from APC governorship primaries amid deepening Rivers political crisis

Governor Siminalayi Fubara has officially withdrawn from the governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a dramatic political development that has further intensified discussions surrounding the prolonged power struggle in Rivers State.

Fubara announced his decision in a personally signed statement released on Wednesday night, saying his withdrawal was aimed at preserving peace, stability, and unity in the state.

Despite stepping aside from the race, the governor pledged to support whoever eventually emerges as the APC governorship candidate.

The decision is being widely interpreted as the latest twist in the lingering political crisis between the governor and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, whose once-close political alliance collapsed after disagreements over control of the state’s political structure and governance.

The Rivers political conflict began shortly after Fubara assumed office in 2023 with strong backing from Wike, who played a major role in his emergence as governor.

However, tensions soon surfaced between both camps over allegations relating to political appointments, control of party structures, and influence over key government decisions.

What initially appeared to be internal disagreements eventually escalated into a broader political confrontation involving lawmakers, party loyalists, and senior government officials across the state.

One of the clearest manifestations of the crisis emerged within the Rivers State House of Assembly, where lawmakers became divided into rival factions loyal to either Fubara or Wike.

READ ALSO: Tinubu ends Rivers emergency rule, Gov Fubara to resume tomorrow

The division triggered repeated political tensions and created uncertainty within the state’s governance structure.

Political analysts have consistently linked the crisis to the battle for dominance over Rivers State’s political machinery. While Wike’s supporters reportedly sought to maintain influence over party operations and state institutions, Fubara’s allies pushed for greater political independence for the governor.

The rivalry subsequently generated legal disputes, security concerns, threats of impeachment, and persistent political instability that unsettled the state for several months. The crisis also raised concerns over the future political direction of Rivers State ahead of subsequent elections.

As tensions deepened, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu intervened in an effort to mediate between the feuding camps and restore stability.

Although the intervention temporarily reduced open hostilities, political observers believe distrust between both factions remained unresolved beneath the surface.

Analysts say both camps continued strategic political mobilization despite public reconciliation efforts.

Fubara’s eventual movement into the APC further complicated the political landscape in Rivers State. His entry into the ruling party reportedly sparked fresh negotiations and power calculations over control of the governorship ticket and the future leadership structure of the party in the state.

In his withdrawal statement, the governor admitted facing “immense pressures and difficult choices,” a remark many political observers interpreted as evidence of intense pressure from influential political stakeholders.

Some analysts believe the governor may have stepped aside to avoid worsening internal divisions within the APC and to prevent another round of destabilizing political conflict in Rivers State.

The withdrawal has since generated mixed reactions among political stakeholders and supporters. While some APC loyalists described the move as a sacrifice made in the interest of peace and party unity, others argued it reflected the intense political pressure surrounding the Rivers crisis.