Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has stated that he was not taken aback by Governor Siminalayi Fubara's decision to withdraw from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Rivers State.
Fubara announced his withdrawal from the race just a day before the primary, explaining that the decision was driven by “conviction and sacrifice for the state to move forward in peace and unity.” This development occurred shortly after Kingsley Chinda, a House of Representatives member and ally of Wike, emerged as the winner of the Rivers APC governorship primary held on May 21.
Speaking on Monday while inspecting infrastructure projects in Abuja, Wike expressed confidence in Chinda's ability to govern Rivers State, citing his extensive experience in both legislative and executive capacities. Reacting to Fubara’s withdrawal, the FCT minister remarked: “I’m not surprised that the governor withdrew.”
“In the first place, he ought not to have collected the [APC nomination] form because the agreement was reached that impeachment should be dropped, while he should also not talk about a second tenure,” Wike added.
The political rift between Wike and Fubara has persisted for several months, marked by a prolonged power struggle that saw attempts by some lawmakers to impeach the governor. Many of the Rivers State legislators who supported the impeachment process are considered loyalists of the former Rivers governor.
Wike had earlier vowed to oppose Fubara’s re-election ambitions, accusing the governor of violating a peace agreement reportedly signed by both parties following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.
