Port Harcourt, Rivers State — ABT NEWS www.abtnews.net
It’s official, though it stings. Both Governor Siminalayi Fubara and APC stalwart Tonye Cole have dramatically withdrawn from the Rivers State APC governorship primary, less than 24 hours before the first ballot is cast.
In a statement personally signed by Governor Fubara on Wednesday night, he revealed the decision followed “deep reflection and extensive consultations with family, friends, and associates.”
Hinting at intense behind-the-scenes political maneuvering, Fubara noted: “As our elders say, not everything a hunter sees in the forest is spoken of in the marketplace. Some truths are best borne quietly for the sake of peace and a greater purpose.”
He maintained that he stepped aside not out of weakness or surrender, but as a sacrifice for the peace and unity of Rivers State, expressing deep gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his support.
Similarly, Tonye Cole announced his withdrawal following a high-stakes stakeholders’ meeting convened by the APC national leadership. Citing party supremacy, Cole stated: “In the overriding interest of party unity, peace, and collective progress, I respect the supremacy of the party and withdraw from the forthcoming primaries.”
Why This Matters: The sudden exit of both heavyweights completely clears the field. Hon. Kingsley Chinda and Dr. Dax Kelly are now the last men standing in the race for the ticket.
The withdrawals bear the unmistakable fingerprints of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who has spent the last three years in a fierce battle with Fubara over the control of Rivers’ political structures. Fubara’s cryptic “hunter in the forest” remark is widely understood to mean he was squeezed out by a formidable alliance between the Wike-aligned bloc and the Presidency.
Fubara insists he will complete his current term as governor, but his political trajectory beyond 2027 is now shrouded in uncertainty. As Rivers APC heads to the polls today, the ultimate question remains: Will this enforced “party unity” hold, or is it the catalyst for a massive political realignment ahead of 2027?
Unmasking the “Hunter in the Forest”: Why Fubara Really Pulled Out
Governor Fubara’s withdrawal was not a sudden change of heart; it was the final move in a long, grueling game of political chess. Based on verified developments over the last two years, Fubara’s exit was engineered by sheer institutional pressure.
To survive the fierce onslaught from Nyesom Wike in 2024 and early 2025, Fubara had to make desperate moves. This culminated in March 2025, when the escalating violence and the splintering of the State Assembly led President Bola Tinubu to declare a six-month State of Emergency, suspending Fubara and appointing a Sole Administrator.
When Fubara was reinstated in September 2025, he realized the PDP was no longer a viable fortress. In December 2025, he defected to the APC to align with the center and secure Presidential backing. However, Wike—despite being a PDP minister—wields immense cross-party influence. The APC national stakeholders’ meeting earlier this week was essentially a mandate from the Presidency and the Wike-aligned power brokers: the party structure belongs to Wike’s camp.
Fubara pulled out because the primary was structurally rigged against him. Going through with it and losing would be a fatal humiliation; stepping down allowed him to save face and negotiate the peaceful completion of his current term.
A Chronicle of Rivers Political Shenanigans (2023–2026)
The battle for Rivers State has been the most dramatic political theater in recent Nigerian history.
What to Expect Next
- A Lame-Duck Governor: Fubara is now effectively a lame-duck governor for his final year. His administrative power will be heavily checked by an emboldened Assembly and a hostile party structure. His primary focus will shift to self-preservation and protecting his core loyalists from post-2027 political exile.
- The Wike Consolidation: With Kingsley Chinda and Dax Kelly as the frontrunners, Wike has practically secured the APC ticket for his proxy. He has proven that he can control the politics of Rivers State regardless of what party logo is on the ballot.
- The 2027 General Elections: Do not expect a quiet election. Fubara’s grassroots supporters, who feel betrayed by the APC national leadership, may engage in anti-party activities, potentially throwing their weight behind an alternative opposition party just to spite Wike’s candidate.
Is Nyesom Wike Happy Right Now?
Absolutely. This is a masterclass in political survival and dominance by the FCT Minister.
Wike faced the ultimate nightmare of every Nigerian political godfather: a handpicked successor who turned rogue and tried to dismantle his empire. When Fubara defected to the APC in December 2025, it was a direct threat to Wike’s relevance. By forcing Fubara to publicly withdraw and pledge loyalty to the party’s eventual flagbearer (who will undoubtedly be a Wike loyalist), Wike has completely neutralized the threat. He has shown the entire country that his grip on Rivers State is absolute, whether he is operating from Abuja, the PDP, or the APC.
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