The All Progressives Congress is set for a decisive round of governorship primaries on Thursday across the 36 states, with political tensions rising over attempts to impose consensus candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections. In many states, party leaders and influential stakeholders have pushed for consensus arrangements to avoid rancorous contests and internal divisions. However, the move has been resisted by several aspirants who insist on testing their popularity at the polls. Among the closely watched contests are those involving Rivers State, where Governor Siminalayi Fubara stepped aside, Adamawa, Kwara and Plateau State as party members await the outcome of the primaries that could shape the political direction of the affected states.
In a shocking move, Governor Fubara withdrew from the APC governorship primary election on Wednesday night, citing the need to preserve peace, unity, and stability in the state. Fubara announced his decision in an official statement titled ‘My Decision to Withdraw from the Rivers State Gubernatorial Primaries,’ noting that the move followed deep reflection and consultations with family, friends, and associates. He stated, “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.”
The governor noted that leadership often requires sacrifice, adding, “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.” Fubara expressed appreciation to his supporters for their loyalty and encouragement throughout his political journey. He described his recent silence as intentional, saying, “As our elders say, not everything a hunter sees in the forest is spoken of in the marketplace… I have faced immense pressures and difficult choices, but my love for Rivers State remains greater than anything else.”
The governor also thanked the party for the platform and expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his encouragement and support. Fubara stressed that his withdrawal should not be interpreted as weakness or surrender, stating, “Let it be clearly understood that I stepped aside… not out of weakness, fear, or surrender, but out of conviction and sacrifice so that Rivers State may move forward in peace and unity.” Fubara’s withdrawal comes amid months of political tension and internal power struggles within the Rivers APC, which have significantly shaped the state’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.
Meanwhile, amid the internal turbulence in the Rivers APC, the party reportedly disqualified all 32 aspirants said to have been backed by the governor for the state House of Assembly primaries. Among those affected were three lawmakers who had been loyal to Fubara during the prolonged political crisis in the state, including those aligned with the then factional Speaker, Victor Oko Jumbo. Similarly, three members of the House of Representatives believed to be loyal to the governor, including Awaji Inombek Abiante and Boma Goodhead, also failed to secure tickets to return to the National Assembly following their disqualification from the primaries. In the same vein, former Rivers State Deputy Governor and Senator representing Rivers West, Dr Ipalibo Banigo Harry, who is also considered an ally of Fubara, was affected by the disqualification exercise.
While governors of Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi, Delta, Enugu, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Niger and Sokoto emerged as consensus candidates for a second term, Fubara was pitted against Wike’s loyalist and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, the state’s former Commissioner for Works, Dakorinama George Kelly, and Tonye Cole. However, Cole withdrew from the race on Wednesday, citing the need to preserve party unity and stability ahead of the primaries. George Kelly also stepped aside from the race, leaving Chinda as the sole contestant for the governorship primary.
In a statement on Wednesday, Cole said, “As a committed democrat and a firm believer in strong institutions as the foundation for sustainable development, I have consistently advocated for dialogue, reconciliation, and unity among stakeholders and factions within the Rivers State chapter of our great party, the APC. In recent days, the national leadership of our party convened a critical stakeholders’ meeting during which far-reaching discussions were held on the future of the Rivers APC and the imperative of presenting a united front ahead of the primaries and the 2027 general elections. 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 added that he would support whoever emerges as the party’s candidate after the primaries, noting, “This decision was not made lightly. It is the product of deep reflection, patriotism, and an unwavering commitment to the stability, growth, and success of our great party and our beloved state. I therefore call on all my supporters to remain calm, peaceful, and steadfast, and to give their full cooperation to the leadership of our great party. Let us unite and work together to secure victory for our President, our party, and all APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.”
Kwara State has also emerged as one of the fiercest battlegrounds, with over a dozen aspirants preparing to challenge Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s preferred successor, Ambassador Yahaya Seriki. The governor on Tuesday publicly endorsed Seriki as his preferred successor after what he described as extensive consultations with party leaders and stakeholders. In a statement posted on his Facebook page, AbdulRazaq noted, “Following extensive consultations with party structures and leadership, I am pleased to endorse Ambassador Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki as my preferred successor under the platform of our party, the APC.” He described Seriki as young, pro-people, astute and broad-minded, adding, “While this does not in any way preclude all other aspirants from contesting in the primaries, I urge members and leaders to affirm the choice of Seriki for cohesion, unity and continuous success of the party.”
In Plateau, a retired military officer Yilcini Bida, dismissed reports on Tuesday that he had stepped down for Governor Caleb Mutfwang. Bida stated, “I want to inform the people of Plateau State that I am still in the race. Rumours are flying around that I have stepped down, but I remain fully committed to contesting the primary on Thursday.” He said his administration, if elected, would focus heavily on infrastructure renewal, economic development, and security reforms, adding that he was confident of winning the primary despite facing an incumbent governor.
There is rising political tension in Adamawa State as key political blocs aligned to Governor Ahmadu Fintiri and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, intensify behind-the-scenes moves. Within the party, several governorship aspirants are currently in the race, including Mustapha Salihu, Tijani Galadima, Salihu Girei, Abdurrahman Haske, Abdurrazaq Namdas, Joe Madaki, and Iya Abbas. Governor Fintiri had last week indicated that he would publicly unveil his preferred successor, stating, “I have the right to support any candidate of my choice just like any other person. By next week, I will tell the people of Adamawa State who my candidate is. I will mobilise all government structures and resources to support my candidate to win the forthcoming general elections for the good of the people of Adamawa State.”
On Tuesday, the governorship race in the state took a new twist as two frontline aspirants stepped down in favour of their colleagues. Diaulhaq Abubakar withdrew from the contest in favour of Galadima, while Joel Madaki stepped down to back Abdulrahman Haske. Galadima said, “I wish to sincerely applaud and appreciate Diaulhaq Abubakar for his decision to step down for me. His action reflects maturity, sacrifice, and a deep commitment to the unity and progress of our great party.” Madaki stated, “The moment has come for the younger generation to step forward and assume leadership roles. Adamawa needs fresh perspectives and leaders who understand the struggles of the people, especially the youth.”
Oyo State followed closely with 11 governorship aspirants, including former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu; Senator Sharafadeen Alli; Akeem Agbaje and Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin. Bauchi recorded eight aspirants, among them the immediate past Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar, Senator Shehu Buba Umar, and former governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar. In Abia State, the party recorded four aspirants namely Mascot Uzor Kalu, Henry Ikoh, Martins Azubuike, and Opah Chinemeucheya. Benue State has four aspirants, Mathias Byuan, Kuraun Isaac, Akutah Ukeyima and Terwase Orbunde, vying against Governor Hyacinth Alia. Gombe State recorded two aspirants, Senator Sa’id Alkali, who is vying against Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s preferred candidate Jamil Gwamna. In Nasarawa, four aspirants remain to slot it out, including Prof Hassan Liman, Abubakar Adamu, Zakka Yakubu, and Senator Aliyu Wadada.
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