Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has announced his withdrawal from the All Progressives Congress [APC] governorship primaries, saying the decision is aimed at preserving peace, stability, and unity in the state.

In a statement signed on Wednesday, May 20, and titled “My decision to withdraw from the Rivers State Gubernatorial Primaries,” Fubara said the move followed “deep reflection and extensive consultations” with 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,” he stated.

He added that he would support whoever emerges as the party’s candidate.

The announcement came days after dozens of aspirants linked to Fubara were screened out of the APC National Assembly and state House of Assembly primaries in Rivers State.

According to a May 11 report by _The ICIR*, 65 aspirants associated with Fubara, including former factional Speaker Victor Oko Jumbo, were disqualified from the state assembly primaries. Aspirants considered loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, were cleared by the screening committee.

Of the 98 aspirants who purchased nomination forms and appeared before the panel, 33 were cleared to contest. Among those not cleared was Chijioke Ihunwo, former chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area and an ally of Fubara.

Fubara had earlier appeared for the APC screening exercise in Abuja but left without speaking to journalists, replying “No comment” when asked about the political situation in the state.

In his withdrawal statement, Fubara said leadership requires sacrifice and that personal ambition should not override the collective interest of the state.

“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 said.

He acknowledged the disappointment his supporters might feel and thanked them for their loyalty. Fubara also said he had faced “immense pressures and difficult choices,” adding that some matters were best handled with restraint “for the sake of peace and a greater purpose.”

The political rift in Rivers State dates to 2023, when Fubara fell out with his predecessor, Wike, over control of the state’s political structure shortly after assuming office under the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP]. The dispute led to a split in the Rivers State House of Assembly and prolonged instability.

Fubara defected from the PDP to the APC in December 2025. In March 2025, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Fubara and members of the state House of Assembly before restoring them six months later.

Fubara thanked the APC leadership and Tinubu for their support during the process. He urged party members to remain united, saying his withdrawal was not an act of weakness or surrender.

“Let it be clearly understood that I stepped aside from participating in the upcoming Rivers State governorship 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,” he said.

He said he remains committed to serving the people of Rivers State until the end of his tenure.