The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, is set to clinch the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State ahead of the upcoming general elections. Chinda, a known ally of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, became the sole contender for the ruling party’s ticket after all other aspirants formally withdrew from the race on the eve of the primary election.
The wave of withdrawals began with the incumbent state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, whose loyalists had previously been disqualified during the screening exercise. In a public statement detailing his decision to step down, Fubara described the move as a difficult but necessary sacrifice made in the interest of the state. He expressed gratitude to his supporters and explained that the peace, stability, and unity of Rivers State must take precedence over personal ambitions. The governor noted that his deliberate silence during the political build-up was guided by the higher interest of the people, adding that true leadership requires personal restraint for a greater purpose.
Following Fubara’s exit, Tonye Cole, who represented the party in the 2023 governorship election, also announced his withdrawal. In a personally signed statement, Cole revealed that his decision was reached after a critical stakeholders’ meeting convened by the national leadership of the party. He explained that the discussions focused on presenting a united front ahead of the upcoming elections. Consequently, after extensive consultations with his political team and associates, Cole stated that he stepped aside to respect party supremacy and promote internal cohesion.
Similarly, a former Commissioner for Works in the state, George Kelly, joined the list of aspirants opting out of the contest. Kelly expressed his gratitude to Wike for his political guidance and pledged his continued allegiance to the rainbow coalition led by the minister, which is dedicated to securing the reelection of the President. He confirmed that his withdrawal was also a product of the recent stakeholders' meeting and widespread consultations, emphasizing that yielding to the supremacy of the party is essential for collective progress.
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