The political landscape in Rivers State witnessed a dramatic transformation on Wednesday as incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara announced his withdrawal from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries. This development has effectively cleared the path for Kingsley Ogundu Chinda, a prominent lawmaker and kinsman of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, to secure the party’s nomination.
Governor Fubara, who defected to the APC in December 2025, signed a formal statement confirming his departure from the contest. He cited a commitment to "peace and stability" within the state as the primary driver for his decision, pledging to remain focused on his duties as governor for the remainder of his tenure.
The governor’s exit triggered a domino effect within the state chapter of the ruling party. Shortly after the announcement, notable aspirants George-Kelly Alabo and the 2023 APC gubernatorial flag bearer, Tonye Cole, also formally stepped aside from the race. These withdrawals leave the field wide open for Chinda, the current member of the House of Representatives representing Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, to emerge as the party's candidate ahead of Thursday’s primaries.
The political shift occurs against a backdrop of prolonged friction between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. Despite several mediation efforts aimed at reconciling the two leaders, the tension has remained a defining feature of Rivers State politics.
Human rights lawyer Chetam Nwala claimed that the governor’s involvement in the race was never substantive. "He has never been in the race. He was pretending all along, as he has always done," Nwala alleged in a public reaction to the news.
With the APC primaries scheduled to proceed on Thursday, May 21, 2026, the absence of major opposition within the party solidifies Chinda's position.