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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has revealed that Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara withdrew from the 2027 governorship race as part of a political peace agreement aimed at restoring stability in the state after months of intense crisis and power struggles. Wike made the disclosure on Monday while speaking with journalists after inspecting ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja.
According to Wike, the understanding reached during reconciliation talks was that impeachment threats against Fubara would be dropped on the condition that the governor would not pursue a second-term ambition in 2027. The former Rivers governor said Fubara was not even expected to purchase nomination forms initially because the agreement had already been concluded among key political actors involved in the peace process. Wike added that the governor’s earlier decision to join the race complicated reconciliation efforts and contradicted what he described as the spirit of the agreement.
Fubara had officially announced his withdrawal from the APC governorship primary last week, saying the decision followed consultations with family, friends, and political associates. In his statement, the governor said he chose to step aside in the interest of peace, unity, and stability in Rivers State while pledging support for whoever eventually emerges as the party’s candidate. His withdrawal came amid continued political tension involving rival camps loyal to him and those aligned with Wike, a conflict that has dominated Rivers politics since 2023.
The Rivers political crisis has remained one of Nigeria’s most closely watched power struggles in recent years, leading to repeated impeachment attempts, divisions within the state assembly, and even the temporary suspension of democratic institutions after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state in 2025. Following Fubara’s withdrawal, Wike loyalist Sam Ejekwu has now emerged as the consensus governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the 2027 election, further strengthening speculation that new political arrangements are already shaping the future leadership structure of Rivers State.
