Governor Siminalayi Fubara has announced his withdrawal from the Rivers State 2027 governorship election, stating that his decision was a sacrifice to ensure peace in the state.
He announced his withdrawal in a statement he personally signed, tagged “My Decision To Withdraw From The Rivers State Gubernatorial Primaries,” issued on Wednesday evening.
He stated that he stepped aside from participating in the Rivers State 2027 governorship election was not out of weakness, fear, or surrender, but out of conviction and sacrifice.
Rivers State 2027 and Fubara
Fubara stated that his stepping aside was to ensure that Rivers State move forward in peace and unity remain, adding that he remained committed to serving the people of the state till the end of his term.
Addressing the people of Rivers State on his decision, Fubara declared that he decided to withdraw from the APC governorship primary after a deep reflection and extensive consultations with his family, friends and associates.
The statement reads in part…
“I have taken the difficult but necessary decision to withdraw from the APC gubernatorial primaries. I do so with a full heart and with a firm commitment to support whoever emerges as the candidate of our great party.
“Leadership is ultimately about sacrifice. There comes a time when personal ambition must yield to the greater good of the people.
“Rivers State is bigger than any individual, and at this critical moment, the peace, stability, and unity of our dear state must take precedence over every personal interest.
“To my supporters who stood firmly with me throughout this journey who gave their time, resources, prayers, and unwavering hope, I offer my deepest gratitude.
“I understand the disappointment, the anger, and the pain many of you may feel. Much has indeed been invested and much sacrificed along the way.
“But please know that your loyalty and trust were never in vain. My silence over this period was deliberate and strategic, guided always by the higher interest of our state and our people.
“As our elders say, not everything a hunter sees in the forest is spoken of in the marketplace. Some truths are best borne quietly, not out of fear, but out of wisdom and restraint for the sake of peace and a greater purpose.
“It is enough to say that I have faced immense pressures and difficult choices, but my love for Rivers State remains greater than anything else.”
Fubara thanked the APC leadership, describing the party for offering the platform and support which he said was extended to him throughout this process.
“I also express my profound appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his support and encouragement.
“The APC remains our collective home, and I urge all party faithful and supporters to remain steadfast and committed as we continue to build a stronger and more united future together.
“Let it be clearly understood that I stepped aside from participating in the upcoming River’s state gubernatorial election not out of weakness, fear, or surrender.
“[It is] out of conviction and sacrifice so that Rivers State may move forward in peace and unity and I remain committed to serving the good people of Rivers state till the end of my term,” Governor Fubara added.
However, to many observers, the decision by Governor Siminalayi Fubara to withdraw from the governorship race in 2027 did not come as a surprise.
The general view was that the incumbent governor of Rivers State may have made a wrong calculation in choosing to stay in the APC after it was clear that he had been left in the cold in the scheme of things in the party.
Fubara and his erstwhile benefactor and the Minister of the FCT, Chief Nyesom Wike, have been at a loggerhead over the soul of the Rivers State chapter of the APC.
There were also reports that the APC leadership, allegedly with the influence of Wike, effectively shut the door of the party against Fubara and his loyalists, as manifested in the party’s state House of Assembly primary.
