FUBARA EXITS RIVERS APC GUBER RACE, PLEDGES LOYALTY TO PARTY’S CANDIDATE
GREATRIBUNETVNEWS–GOVERNOR calls move a sacrifice for peace and unity over personal ambition
Key Issues:
1. Fubara Withdraws From Thursday’s APC Governorship Primaries
_”Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has withdrawn from Thursday’s governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress.”
2. Decision Made After Reflection and Consultations
_”The governor said the decision followed deep reflection and extensive consultations with his family, friends and associates.”
_”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.”
3. Pledges Full Support for Whoever Emerges as APC Candidate
_”I do so with a full heart and with a firm commitment to support whoever emerges as the candidate of our great party,” he said.
4. Frames Move as Sacrifice for Rivers State’s Stability and Unity
_”Fubara said the withdrawal was not an act of weakness or surrender, but a sacrifice made in the interest of peace, stability and unity in Rivers State.”
_”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,” he stated.
The governor thanked his supporters for standing by him and acknowledged that many may feel disappointed, angry or hurt by the decision.
“To my supporters who stood firmly with me throughout this journey, who gave their time, resources, prayers, and unwavering hope, I offer my deepest gratitude. I understand the disappointment, the anger, and the pain many of you may feel. Much has indeed been invested and much sacrificed along the way. But please know that your loyalty and trust were never in vain,” he said.
Fubara said his silence in recent days was deliberate and guided by the interest of the state and its people.
“As our elders say, not everything a hunter sees in the forest is spoken of in the marketplace. Some truths are best borne quietly, not out of fear, but out of wisdom and restraint for the sake of peace and a greater purpose,” he said.
He added that he had faced immense pressure and difficult choices, but his love for Rivers State remained greater than personal ambition.
Fubara thanked the APC for the platform and support extended to him, and expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support and encouragement.
“The APC remains our collective home, and I urge all party faithful and supporters to remain steadfast and committed as we continue to build a stronger and more united future together,” he said.
The governor clarified that he was stepping aside from the primaries, not from governance, and remains committed to serving Rivers people until the end of his current term.
“Let it be clearly understood that I stepped aside from participating in the upcoming Rivers State gubernatorial election not out of weakness, fear, or surrender, but out of conviction and sacrifice so that Rivers State may move forward in peace and unity and I remain committed to serving the good people of Rivers State till the end of my term,” Fubara stated.
His withdrawal is expected to reshape political calculations within the Rivers APC ahead of the primaries and the 2027 governorship election.
THE TEXT OF FUBARA’S STATEMENT :
GOVERNMENT OF RIVERS STATE
PRESS STATEMENT
MY DECISION TO WITHDRAW FROM THE RIVERS STATE GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARIES
Fellow Rivers People,
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.
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.
To my supporters who stood firmly with me throughout this journey who gave their time, resources, prayers, and unwavering hope, I offer my deepest gratitude. I understand the disappointment, the anger, and the pain many of you may feel. Much has indeed been invested and much sacrificed along the way. But please know that your loyalty and trust were never in vain. My silence over this period was deliberate and strategic, guided always by the higher interest of our state and our people.
As our elders say, not everything a hunter sees in the forest is spoken of in the marketplace. Some truths are best borne quietly, not out of fear, but out of wisdom and restraint for the sake of peace and a greater purpose. It is enough to say that I have faced immense pressures and difficult choices, but my love for Rivers State remains greater than anything else.
I sincerely thank our great party, the All Progressives Congress, for the platform and support extended to me throughout this process. I also express my profound appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his support and encouragement.
The APC remains our collective home, and I urge all party faithful and supporters to remain steadfast and committed as we continue to build a stronger and more united future together.
Let it be clearly understood that I stepped aside from participating in the upcoming River’s state Gubernatorial election not out of weakness, fear, or surrender, but out of conviction and sacrifice so that Rivers State may move forward in peace and unity and I remain committed to serving the good people of Rivers state till the end of my term.
Thank you, and may God bless Rivers State.
Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS
Governor, Rivers State
May 20, 2026
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