Isaac Samuel
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, initially agreed not to seek a second term as part of a political peace arrangement aimed at stabilising the state.
Wike made the clarification on Monday while briefing journalists after inspecting ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja, insisting that the governor’s recent withdrawal from the 2027 governorship race was consistent with earlier reconciliation understandings.
According to him, the agreement reached during peace negotiations involving key political actors in Rivers State included a commitment that impeachment moves against Fubara would be dropped, while the governor would, in turn, step away from second-term ambition.
“I am not surprised that the governor withdrew. In the first place, he ought not to have collected the form, because agreement was reached that the impeachment should be dropped, while he should also not go about a second term,” Wike said.
Fubara had recently stepped down from the All Progressives Congress governorship primary, saying his decision followed consultations with family, allies, and stakeholders, and was taken in the interest of peace, unity, and stability in Rivers State.
Wike, however, argued that the governor’s earlier decision to obtain nomination forms went against the spirit of the agreement and complicated reconciliation efforts in the state.
“But whatever it is, he has withdrawn and somebody has emerged,” the minister added.
He also threw his weight behind the emergence of the lawmaker, Kingsley Chinda, describing him as a competent and experienced politician suited for the governorship role.
“A good product markets itself. Everybody knows that Kingsley Chinda is the material.
“He’s quite experienced. He has worked with the Executive and is now in the Legislature. I am sure that he must have been approached by the APC to join them and then get the ticket”, Wike said.
