May 21, (THEWILL) — Barely hours after Governor Siminalayi Fubara withdrew from the 2027 governorship race, another politician from Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area bearing the Fubara name has stepped into the contest after obtaining the governorship nomination and expression of interest forms of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to challenge the expected candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The new entrant, identified as Blessing Fubara Snr., secured the forms at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, sparking fresh political conversations across Rivers State amid ongoing political tensions and realignments ahead of the 2027 elections.
Although both Blessing Fubara and Governor Siminalayi Fubara are from Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, THEWILL could not immediately confirm whether the two politicians are directly related.
Confirming the development, the Rivers State Chairman of the NDC, Hon. Success Jack, said Blessing Fubara is among the party’s governorship aspirants, though he declined to comment on any family ties between the aspirant and the governor.
“Yes, he obtained his expression of interest form yesterday in Abuja, and we are prepared and still preparing to win not only the governorship election, but all elections in Rivers State come 2027”, he stated.
The emergence of another Fubara in the political equation has further intensified speculation surrounding the rapidly evolving political alignments taking shape in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Blessing Fubara was said to have defected from the APC to the NDC about two weeks ago amid growing tensions within Rivers politics.
During his formal reception in Abuja, he was welcomed by former Bayelsa State Governor and senior party leader, Seriake Dickson, alongside other stakeholders of the party.
At the event, Blessing Fubara described the NDC as “a moving train”, insisting that his decision to join the party was driven by what he called the collective interest of Rivers people.
He further declared that “the soul of Rivers State is at stake”, suggesting that the political atmosphere in the state requires alternative platforms capable of challenging entrenched political structures ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Blessing Fubara Snr. is said to hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Development and Adult Education and currently serves as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of D’Consiglories LLC.
He is also presented by supporters as a development strategist, urban renewal consultant and grassroots mobiliser with experience in youth empowerment initiatives and public sector advisory engagements.
The latest development comes amid sustained political tension between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, whose influence continues to dominate Rivers politics.
Following months of internal political battles, Governor Fubara and several of his allies, withdrew from the APC governorship primaries, a move widely interpreted as a tactical retreat from a direct confrontation with Wike’s entrenched political machinery within the ruling party.
The governor has repeatedly attempted to calm tensions by reaching out to former political associates and urging supporters to maintain peace, even as disagreements between the executive and legislative arms of government continue to resurface over issues relating to budgets, appointments and political control.
THEWILL reports that Wike, remains the most influential political figure in Rivers State, maintaining significant influence across both the APC and PDP structures.
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