Politics
2027: The Sins of Fubara, why he was dumped, disqualified from contesting
Fresh facts have emerged on how the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, lost the backing of President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress in the prolonged power tussle with his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Credible leaders of the APC involved in efforts to resolve the crisis between Fubara and Wike that the governor fell out with the President and the ruling party after allegedly reneging on reconciliation terms.
A member of the National Working Committee of the party, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that the APC leadership refused to officially welcome Fubara into the party after his defection because he did not have Wike’s blessings.
“The President handed over the political structure of Rivers State to Wike. Fubara joined the party to outsmart Wike in a desperate move to secure a second term. But the party leadership already knew the body language of the President. That was why no official reception was given to Fubara after he joined the APC,” the party official said.
He added, “The President advised him to focus on governance and leave Wike alone for party politics. The President intervened and saved him from the first impeachment plot against him (Fubara).
“On the second impeachment plot as well, the President told him to focus on governance and leave Wike alone. It was at that time that all parties agreed that he would not go for a second term. Fubara agreed to that, and that is why Wike always says, ‘Agreement is agreement.’
“But once the governor settles in Port Harcourt, some people would advise him against Wike again, telling him he is the governor and the leader of the party,” the APC NWC member added.
The source said it was impossible for the APC leadership to support Fubara’s second-term ambition, knowing it was against the settlement terms and that Tinubu was not in support.
The insider added that Fubara might have been misled by some APC chieftains who assured him of the party’s support.
“Even on this ongoing governorship matter, I am aware the party leadership told him that the Presidency and the Governors’ Forum were not on his side. Fubara had even told some party officials that he would not attend the governorship screening exercise, only for him to appear before the screening committee in Abuja.
“The body language of the President is that Wike is in charge of Rivers politics, and Fubara should have seen that. Fubara did not have input in the screening committee of the APC for Rivers House of Assembly and National Assembly aspirants. All his candidates were disqualified.
“The structure of the Rivers APC primary was given to Wike. Wike is in control of Rivers politics and, until something changes, he will continue to hold sway in the state,” he added.
It was also gathered that Fubara was not cleared by the party’s governorship screening committee headed by its National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, and National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru.
“What I know is that Fubara was not cleared by the APC screening committee to contest. That was why he left in anger. If you remember, he stormed out of the screening venue angrily. He had a very bitter look on his face. He was not cleared; he was told he could not contest under the party. That means he was disqualified from the race.
“That he withdrew from the race is face-saving. A person who has been disqualified cannot participate in the primary. That was what happened,” the party leader, who spoke with Sunday PUNCH on condition of anonymity on Friday, said.
One of the loyalists of the FCT minister also confirmed that Fubara was barred from contesting by the APC, boasting that “Wike has sealed the governor’s fate.”
According to the ally, who also spoke on condition of anonymity on Friday, the APC was “simply following the agreement that Fubara would not contest for a second term.”
“That is not power play or wickedness; it is simply honouring an agreement that Fubara himself agreed to. He would not have escaped impeachment if not for the President and Wike himself. Part of the agreement to settle the recurrent political crisis in Rivers then was that he would not contest for a second term, and he agreed.
“APC is just working towards that agreement, and that was why Fubara was not cleared to contest,” he added.
Meanwhile, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Felix Morka, did not take his calls or respond to messages sent to him for comments on the matter.
How APC denied Fubara reception
Fubara officially left the Peoples Democratic Party for the APC on December 9, 2025.
The governor thereafter visited the National Secretariat of the APC on December 17, where he pledged to collaborate with the party to ensure President Tinubu and the APC secured victory across all levels in 2027.
The National Chairman of the APC, Yilwatda, described Fubara’s defection as significant, noting that it completed the alignment of the South-South region with the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Despite this, the party refused to organise an official reception for Fubara after his defection.
All the PDP governors, including Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Douye Diri (Bayelsa) and Peter Mbah (Enugu), who joined the APC, were officially received into the party by a delegation usually led by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
But Fubara was not given such a reception, a development that had earlier signalled the governor’s low standing in the party.
Yilwatda had, in February, explained that Fubara had not been formally welcomed into the party because of “regional sensitivities.”
The APC chairman, while speaking on TVC, said, “We have Kano we’re preparing for. When you’re dealing in politics, we opted to clear the North first because Ramadan is coming and most of the people in the North are Muslims.
“We have a lot of communities in the North that are sensitive to the issue of Ramadan. So, we pleaded that we clear the northern governors who have to come to the APC first before going to the South, where we don’t have Ramadan as an issue.
“So, these are strategies and also an acknowledgement of the sensitivity of each community. That’s the reason we took that decision. It has nothing to do with Siminalayi Fubara not having authority.”
Surviving three impeachment plots
Findings revealed that Fubara survived three impeachment plots as the political crisis in the state escalated at different times.
The first impeachment plot against the governor began on October 30, 2023, barely five months after he assumed office.
About 24 lawmakers reportedly signed the impeachment notice, a move that triggered chaos at the Assembly complex in Port Harcourt, including protests, teargas and a fire incident at the Assembly chamber.
That 2023 attempt was later withdrawn in December 2023 after President Tinubu brokered a peace deal between the factions.
During the peak of the political crisis between Fubara and Wike in March 2025, the lawmakers, led by the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, also moved to impeach Fubara and his deputy, which then generated tension in the state.
Tinubu, on March 18, 2025, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Fubara, the Deputy Governor, Ngozi Odu, and all members of the State House of Assembly for six months.
The President appointed a retired Rear Admiral, Ibok-Ete Ibas, as the state administrator.
However, Tinubu announced the end of the state of emergency on September 17, 2025.
S’South youths, groups reject Fubara’s withdrawal
Meanwhile, several groups have expressed disappointment over Fubara’s withdrawal from the 2027 elections.
Amongst them is long standing supporter of the governor and pioneer spokesman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Anabs Sara-Igbe, who expressed sadness over Fubara’s action.
Sara-Igbe, an elder statesman, blamed Wike for the development.
He said, “I have never seen this happen where one man thinks he can do and undo and nobody can challenge him. Rivers people, shine your eyes. Rivers people wake up from your slumber. Rivers people, it is time for us to fight and take back our state.”
Similarly, the Chairman Emeritus of Ijaw Youths Council, Eastern Zone, Ibim Ibiwari, said Ijaw people were disappointed with the decision of the governor to step down from the political contest.
He said, “It breaks my heart because the Ijaw people from 1999 have supported various gubernatorial aspirants and they become governor.
“From our leader, our father, Sir Peter Odili to Sir Celestine Omehia, then to Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi and we gave the totality to the serving FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike you as media people are all aware that a lot of Ijaw people paid the supreme price with their lives in Abonema and other Ijaw communities to ensure that he came into power through our mother, Patience Jonathan, wife of the former President.”
Ibiwari said Fubara’s withdrawal has left many of his supporters frustrated and in a “mourning mood.”
“I could not even take my son to school when it dawned on me that the governor was no longer contesting the election,” he added.
Ibiwari raised concerns about the projects initiated by the Fubara administration including the reconstruction of the Port Harcourt Tourist Beach and the Creek Road market and appealed to the governor to complete the projects.
Also speaking, the National President of the South-South Youths Initiative, Savior Imeabe, condemned the governor’s decision to step down despite what he described as overwhelming support from the people.
He said the governor should know that he holds the office in trust for the people of the state and that such a decision was not his alone to make and urged him to reconsider his decision, which he described as disappointing.
Imeabe called on the governor not to make the mistake of handing over the state to people without the interest of Rivers at heart.
On his part, a former aide to Fubara, Chris Itamunola, described the governor’s withdrawal as unacceptable, saying his reason for maintaining peace in the state was not tenable, especially as the state had been in a political crisis for over three years.
He stated, “What peace? For the past three years, almost four years, have we had peace? What type of peace? A peace that throws us politically into the hands of the enemy?”
The lawyer expressed dismay that the people of the riverine areas of the state had not been given the opportunity to govern the state, unlike the counterparts from the upland who ruled for two tenures of eight years.
Source: PUNCH
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Enugu State chapter, has suspended one of its governorship aspirants, Chief Samson Chukwu Nnamani, over alleged anti-party activities and actions considered detrimental to the unity and image of the party ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
According to a detailed report issued by the party on May 22, 2026, the suspension followed a formal petition submitted by Hon. Peter Chibuike Edeh, a former councillor representing Ward 3 Akpugo in Nkanu West Local Government Area.
The petition accused Chief Nnamani of circulating negative publications against fellow PDP governorship aspirant, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, and engaging in activities capable of bringing the party into hatred, disrepute and public contempt contrary to the PDP Constitution 2017 (as amended).
The report stated that the publications were allegedly distributed to notable party stakeholders, including the South East Zonal Secretary of the PDP, Hon. Ahumibe Michael C., and Hon. Obiora Ugwu, among others.
Following receipt of the petition, the PDP Enugu State chapter convened an Expanded Emergency State Working Committee meeting and invited Chief Nnamani to appear before the committee to respond to the allegations.
The party disclosed that an invitation letter dated May 21, 2026, signed by the State Secretary, Hon. Chukwunonye Okereke, was successfully delivered to the aspirant through a courier service company.
However, the committee noted that Chief Nnamani failed to honour the invitation despite evidence of delivery.
After deliberations, the committee concluded that the actions and publications credited to the aspirant were capable of creating internal division and portraying the PDP negatively before the public.
The committee further held that his refusal to appear before the party amounted to disregard for the authority and disciplinary structures of the PDP.
Consequently, the Expanded State Working Committee resolved to suspend Chief Samson Chukwu Nnamani from the party for one month with effect from May 22, 2026, in line with Section 57(3) of the PDP Constitution 2017 (as amended).
The party also announced the inauguration of a seven-man disciplinary committee headed by Barr. Emeka Abah to further investigate the allegations and recommend additional disciplinary measures where necessary.
Reacting to the development, party faithful described the action as a strong signal that the PDP leadership in Enugu State remains committed to discipline, unity and party supremacy.
“The PDP in Enugu State has once again proven that discipline, unity and party supremacy remain non-negotiable. The unanimous suspension of Chief Samson Chukwu Nnamani sends a strong message that no individual interest is greater than the collective vision of the party,” part of the reaction read.
“As 2027 approaches, the PDP stands stronger, united and fully prepared to sanction any member engaging in anti-party activities capable of dividing the party or weakening its structure. Enugu PDP remains focused and organized.”
He insisted that the process was flawed and rejected the result, maintaining that he was the rightful winner of the contest.
According to him, “from records available to him, he won the primary overwhelmingly with a total of 123,000 votes against 5000 votes for his closest rival, Okowa; adding that he has sufficient video evidence to prove it.”
Describing the outcome as fraudulent, Nwoko said: “a political fraud dressed in party colours , alleging strongly that the results were completely manipulated and written the night before the primary.”
He further maintained that his mandate was freely given by party members and cannot be taken away.Politics
Nwoko also cautioned the APC leadership in Delta State against denying him the ticket, warning that such a move could have wider political implications for President Bola Tinubu in the region.
He said any attempt to sideline him would be politically costly, stressing that he remains the key grassroots mobilizer for the party in Delta North.
The disputed primary reportedly produced former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as candidate, a result Nwoko continues to challenge.
The APC Stakeholders of Enugu East Local Government Area have unanimously endorsed Engr. Pst. Beloved Dan Obi-Anike for a second term as Executive Chairman.
At the meeting, Hon. Obinna Mbaeke (former Commissioner) highlighted the chairman’s efforts in fostering peace and inclusiveness across communities in Enugu East, citing his administration’s record of stakeholder engagement and tangible achievements. He moved the motion for Obi-Anike’s return, which was seconded by Hon. Edward Nnaji (former Commissioner).
Nnaji described the administration as marking a “new beginning” for the LGA, referencing ongoing development projects in education, health, and human capital. He commended both the chairman and Gov. Peter Mbah for elevating the profile of Enugu East and stated that a second term would consolidate existing gains while expanding representation through key state appointments—including commissioner and special adviser positions. 
Prof. Bethland Ngwu welcomed the stakeholders’ resolution to support the chairman and acknowledged the backing of the traditional rulers. He also noted that discussions on zoning the chairmanship position were ongoing, and that the committee would make their final report available once concluded.
Hon. Christopher Ugwu addressed the rotational arrangement for the chairmanship across development centres but threw his weight behind the chairman’s re-election bid. Hon. Cornelius Ugwu (former Transition Chairman) said the mayor deserved another term due to his “good works and the peace in our communities.”
Hon. Christopher Ugwu adopted the motion on behalf of Mbulu Iyikwu Development Centre; Hon. Clement Okwor adopted the motion on behalf of Mbulu Jodo Development Centre; Hon. Cornelius Ugwu adopted the motion on behalf of Enugu East Development Centre; while Hon. Mark Mbah adopted the motion on behalf of Enugu East Central Development Centre.
Hon. Chief Clement Okwor, chairman of the committee on rotational chairmanship, said the committee had made considerable progress and confirmed that the state government had been briefed on its work. He also adopted the motion for the executive chairman’s return for a second term.
Elder Damian Ugwu also supported the stakeholders’ position.
The Leader of Council, Hon. Obed Obumneme Eke, called for a voice vote, and the ‘ayes’ had it.
The inability of the All Progressives Congress leadership to secure a consensus arrangement forced the postponement of the party’s governorship primaries in Kwara, Bauchi and the state assembly primaries in two constituencies in Zamfara.
Also in Nasarawa, late arrival of electoral materials forced voters back to their homes with the process expected to be completed on Friday (today).
This comes as the ruling party constituted key election management structures for its 2026 presidential primary, appointing a committee chaired by former Senate President, Pius Anyim, along with a separate appeal panel led by former Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari.
In Thursday’s primaries, while incumbent governors and consensus-backed candidates coasted to victory in 25 states including Ogun, Kebbi, Katsina, Kaduna, Delta, Enugu and Rivers, the exercises in Kwara, Bauchi and Zamfara (state assembly) were thrown into uncertainty after the APC National Working Committee postponed the contests amid rising tensions.
APC governorship candidates were also selected in Oyo, Benue, Sokoto, Gombe, Yobe, Niger, Borno, Ebonyi, Abia, Jigawa, Taraba, Zamfara, Plateau, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Lagos and Kano. Primaries were not conducted in Kogi, Edo, Bayelsa, Anambra, Imo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo, as those seven states have off‑cycle election schedules.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, announced that the governorship primaries in Kwara and Bauchi states earlier scheduled for Thursday had been shifted to Friday (today), while the State House of Assembly primaries for Maradun I and Maradun II constituencies in Zamfara were rescheduled for Sunday, May 24.
Morka said the postponement followed consultations with stakeholders and was aimed at ensuring “transparent, orderly, peaceful and credible primary election process.”
“The All Progressives Congress hereby announces the rescheduling of the governorship primary elections in Bauchi and Kwara States to Friday, May 22, 2026,” the statement read.
“Similarly, the party has approved the rescheduling of the State House of Assembly primary elections for Maradun I and Maradun II Constituencies in Zamfara State to Sunday, May 24, 2026.
“The decision was approved by the National Working Committee following consultations with relevant stakeholders and in furtherance of the party’s commitment to ensuring a transparent, orderly, peaceful and credible primary election process.”
But despite the official explanation, the postponements immediately fuelled suspicions within party ranks, particularly in Kwara and Bauchi, where supporters openly accused influential figures of attempting to manipulate the process in favour of preferred aspirants.
Kwara aspirants
In Kwara State, the postponement deepened political uncertainty as intense behind-the-scenes negotiations unfolded around Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s preferred successor, Amb Yahaya Seriki.
Barely hours after the postponement was announced, no fewer than eight governorship aspirants stepped down for Seriki following what party insiders described as strategic consultations designed to preserve party unity and ensure continuity of the AbdulRazaq administration.
Those who withdrew included Prof. Wale Sulaiman, Dr Mohammed Bio, Dr Toyin Alabi, Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, Captain Ahmad Mahmoud, Hajia Aisha Patigi, Dr Salako Oluwatoyin and Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu.
Sources familiar with the Wednesday night meeting said the aspirants resolved to support Seriki “in the interest of unity and continuity.”
The meeting reportedly ended with renewed commitments to “party cohesion, issue-based engagement and a peaceful primary process.”
Outrage in Rivers
In Rivers State, political tensions escalated after Governor Siminalayi Fubara withdrew from the APC governorship race on Wednesday night, citing “peace and unity” in the state.
But rather than calm tensions, the withdrawal triggered outrage among several supporters and political associates who accused powerful interests within the APC of cornering the governor politically.
In Delta State, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori emerged as the APC governorship candidate after polling 345,375 votes in a peaceful direct primary conducted across the state.
Mbah victorious
In Enugu State, Governor Peter Mbah clinched the APC governorship ticket as party members turned out massively across the state’s 260 wards.
Speaking at Owo Ward in Nkanu East Local Government Area, federal lawmaker Nnolim Nnaji praised Mbah’s performance.
“It is not enough to get power. What you use the power for matters more. But Peter Mbah is called The Rock because of how he is using power to do mighty things,” he said.
Mbah himself described the exercise as proof of healthy internal democracy.
“It happened because our people are smart. Our people are wise and they know what is good when they see one,” he stated.
In Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli expressed confidence in emerging as the party’s governorship candidate and urged party members to unite behind whoever eventually emerges.
In Ogun State, consensus candidate Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, dismissed reports of aggrieved aspirants.
“The decision to present me as the consensus candidate was not foisted on the party,” he said.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda also secured affirmation in Katsina State through a voice vote involving 1,805 delegates and supporters.
In Kaduna, Governor Uba Sani secured 459,393 affirmation votes.
“We have made significant progress in restoring peace, strengthening unity and expanding development across Kaduna State,” Sani declared after the exercise.
Adamawa, Abia withdrawals
In Adamawa State, former APC National Vice Chairman, Mustapha Salihu, alongside governorship aspirants Diaulhaq Abubakar and Ibrahim Thul, withdrew from the race in support of Ahmed Galadima.
Similarly, in Abia State, Chief Mascot Uzor-Kalu withdrew from the governorship race, citing equity and zoning considerations.
Pantami, Alkali lose
In Gombe State, APC governorship primaries produced one of the biggest surprises of the exercise as Jamilu Gwamna defeated former ministers Isa Pantami and Said Alkali.
Gwamna polled 247,161 votes while Pantami secured 12,120 votes and Alkali scored 11,612 votes.
The Chairman of the APC Governorship Primary Election Committee for Ogun State, Mr Wale Ohu, announced the result at the party secretariat in Abeokuta on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that returning officers from the 20 local government areas had earlier announced results from each LGA.
There were 343,292 registered voters and 305,287 accredited voters, while Adeola, also known as Yayi, polled 304,055 votes to emerge winner.
Ohu said, “There were two contestants. Sen. Solomon Adeola scored 304,055 votes while Mr Abayomi Hunye polled zero.”
Adeola pledged to consolidate the achievements of Governor Dapo Abiodun and sustain unity within the APC if elected in 2027.
He commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for ensuring a peaceful and seamless primary, which he described as unprecedented.
“I never imagined the exercise would be this peaceful. I thought it was the usual primaries where people struggle and fight. God on our side,” Adeola said.
According to him, Ogun is witnessing its first peaceful transition arrangement in 15 years ahead of the 2027 succession.
Adeola said: “By the grace of God, on May 29, 2027, I will be sitting side by side with you for a smooth transition of government.”
The senator assured Ogun residents that he would sustain development and advance the state’s progress.
Adeola also appreciated President Bola Tinubu for his support and mentorship throughout his political career.
He described the President as a father, leader, and role model, noting 24 years of political growth.
Governor Abiodun said Adeola’s emergence validated the confidence reposed in him by party members across the state.
He hailed the peaceful primary as a historic first in the state’s 50-year history.
The governor noted that it was the first time an outgoing governor openly unveiled a successor ahead of an election in a transparent, rancour-free manner. (NAN)
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