APC Guber Primaries: Gov Fubara Chickens Out In Rivers As ‘Air Of Suspense’ Disappears In Kwara

Different dramatic scenarios were enacted in Rivers and Kwara states on Wednesday as the ruling party, the APC, gets set to hold its gubernatorial primaries in states where governorship elections will be held next year.

The party’s gubernatorial primaries will be held today, Thursday, May 21, 2026,

Although, Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike had for months now butted heads and fought over the control of Rivers State politics, the governor lost a critical battle on Wednesday.

While Fubara had left PDP for APC and had shown interest in getting nominated by the party to enhance his re-election bid, Wike had however insisted that he will not get a second term. The governor finally accepted defeat on Wednesday and backed out of the 2027 gubernatorial race.

Interestingly, Barrister Wike is still a member of PDP.

The governor, who has chickened out of the race, noted that he had done this after deep reflection and extensive consultations with friends and members of his family while calling it a difficult decision.  .

‘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 governorship primary.

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.

Governor Fubara however urged party faithful and supporters to remain steadfast and united, submitting that the APC remains a collective political family committed to building a stronger future for the state.

Recall that the rift between the governor and his estranged political godfather, Barrister Nyesom Wike had resulted in the political crisis that made President Bola Tinubu declare state of emergency in the state on March 18,2025

The governor later returned to office on Thursday, September 18, 2025.

In Kwara State, what was considered as a high-stake situation has become a tranquil atmosphere while the air of suspense has also disappeared.

Recall that ahead of the Kwara Central APC Senate primary, Senator Saliu Mustapha, who is the Turaki of Ilorin, had clarified and asserted that he was not interested in retaining his parliament seat but rather getting ready to be in the driver’s seat at the state level.

The influential politician also noted that he was not interested in participating in the Senate primary but rather getting ready for the guber primary..

Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who is the Sardauna of Ilorin, had later on Tuesday announced his decision to endorse Alhaji Abdulfatahi Yahaya Seriki’s candidacy and this had made everyone see it as a direct battle between Seriki and Mustapha.

This had naturally set a tone of anticipation while it also gave birth to a charged environment.

Sources however told Team@orientactualmags.com that a meeting held on Wednesday has helped to douse tension and it has also made what many had thought will be a ‘big contest’ become a mere ‘coronation’ for Alhaji Yahaya Seriki.

‘He is already the guber candidate in waiting and the primary election will only formalize it.

The governor controls the party structure and the candidate he has endorsed is stupendously rich and it will be pretty difficult for anyone to think he can outspend him and the governor.

So, many have considered it as an election with a predictable outcome.

The only person that can make things difficult for Seriki among the aspirants left to compete with him is Hon Bashir Bolarinwa but he cannot rock the boat.

Yes, he was the state APC chairman and he has direct contact with a good number of party members but when the chips are down , the ward and local government party officials who will oversee things will either bow to directives from the Government House or naira rain’ said a source.

It was gathered that President Bola Tinubu presided over a meeting that was attended by Senator Saliu Mustapha, Governor Abdulrazaq and some APC bigwigs who are non-Kwarans during which he emphasized the need to ensure party cohesion and unity of effort ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Senator Mustapha was said to have been persuaded to support the candidate endorsed by the governor while the Sardauna of Ilorin also voluntarily said he will sacrifice his Senate nomination to allow the Turaki retain his parliament seat.

Over 10 governors reportedly attended the peace meeting at the instance of Governor Abdulrazaq, who is the chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

Sources also told Team@orientactualmags.com that some of the guber aspirants will announce their decision to withdraw from the race this morning.

Dr. Salako Muyideen Oluwatoyin, retired Captain Ahmad Mahmoud, Professor Wale Sulaiman, Dr. Mohammed Omar Bio, Dr. Toyin Alabi, Hajia Aisha Ahman Patigi, former Senator Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe and Speaker Yakubu Salihu Danladi have already declared their support for Alhaji Yahaya Seriki’s candidacy while five among them also reportedly held a meeting with him at his Ilorin residence on Wednesday night--Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079,  08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you