May 21, (THEWILL) — The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) witnessed a dramatic political realignment on Wednesday night, after Governor Siminalayi Fubara, former APC governorship candidate, Tonye Cole, and Dax George-Kelly withdrew from the party’s governorship primary scheduled for Thursday, paving the way for OK Chinda to emerge as the APC consensus governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Rivers State.
The development confirms an earlier THEWILL exclusive report indicating that Chinda had emerged as the preferred candidate of influential stakeholders within the Rivers APC ahead of the governorship primary.
THEWILL had also exclusively reported mounting uncertainty surrounding Governor Fubara’s political future within the APC amid indications that President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, were opposed to Fubara securing the APC governorship ticket for a second term.
The earlier report further highlighted growing concerns within the governor’s camp following the disqualification of several political figures and aspirants believed to be aligned with him, as loyalists of Wike consolidated control of the Rivers APC structure ahead of the primary.
Before the withdrawals, the APC had cleared four aspirants — Fubara, Cole, George-Kelly and OK Chinda — to participate in the governorship primary.
The withdrawals followed days of intense consultations, internal negotiations and growing political tension within the Rivers APC ahead of the crucial exercise.
Fubara confirmed his withdrawal in a personally signed statement titled, “My Decision To Withdraw From The Rivers State Gubernatorial Primaries.”
The governor said the decision followed “deep reflection and extensive consultations” with family members, friends and political associates.
“After deep reflection and extensive consultations with my family, friends, and associates, 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”, Fubara stated.
The governor described leadership as a call to sacrifice, insisting that the peace, stability and unity of Rivers State must take precedence over personal ambition.
“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”, he added.
Fubara also hinted at intense political pressure and difficult behind-the-scenes developments that influenced his decision.
“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”, he stated.
The governor thanked President Tinubu and the APC leadership for their support throughout the process.
Cole also announced his withdrawal in a separate statement issued on Wednesday evening, saying the decision was taken in the overriding interest of party unity, peace and collective progress.
“As a committed democrat and a firm believer in the supremacy of strong institutions as the foundation for sustainable development, I have consistently advocated for dialogue, reconciliation, and unity among the various stakeholders and factions within the Rivers State chapter of our great party, the APC.
“Following that meeting, and after extensive consultations with members of my political team, associates, supporters, and other key stakeholders, I have taken the decision, in the overriding interest of party unity, peace, and collective progress, to respect the supremacy of the party and withdraw from the forthcoming primaries”, Cole stated.
George-Kelly also withdrew from the race late Wednesday, a move party insiders described as part of a broader consensus arrangement reached after high-level consultations among influential APC stakeholders in Rivers State.
With the withdrawal of Fubara, Cole and George-Kelly, OK Chinda is now set to emerge as the APC consensus governorship candidate for the 2027 governorship election in Rivers State.
Party sources said the consensus arrangement was designed to prevent a divisive primary contest and stabilise the APC ahead of the general elections.
As of press time, the Rivers APC leadership had yet to issue a formal statement officially ratifying Chinda’s emergence, although preparations for Thursday’s primary were continuing amid indications that the exercise may now largely serve as a formality following the coordinated withdrawals.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
