Ogundu Chinda, a member of the 10th National Assembly representing Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency and a close ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has emerged as the leading contender for the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship ticket in Rivers State.
This follows the withdrawal of incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara from the race.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and personally signed by him, Fubara explained that his decision to step down from the governorship contest was driven by his commitment to restoring peace in the state.
Shortly after Fubara’s announcement, George Kelly Alabo also withdrew from the APC gubernatorial contest.
Earlier, Tonye Cole, the APC governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections, had announced his withdrawal from the 2027 governorship race.
The withdrawal of Fubara, Cole and Alabo ahead of Thursday’s APC governorship primaries has significantly strengthened Chinda’s chances of securing the party’s ticket in Rivers State.
Meanwhile, former Rivers State Governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, arrived in Port Harcourt ahead of the APC governorship primaries.
The latest political developments indicate that Fubara will not seek reelection as Rivers State Governor in 2027.
Fubara and Wike have remained at odds despite several attempts at reconciliation and peace agreements.
Reacting to the situation, human rights lawyer Chetam Nwala alleged that the governor was never genuinely interested in the race.
“He has never been in the race. He was pretending all along, as he has always done,” Nwala said.
