The governorship race within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has taken a decisive turn following the withdrawal of three key aspirants ahead of the party’s primary election.
Ogundu Chinda, member of the 10th National Assembly representing Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, has now emerged as the leading contender for the party’s governorship ticket. His position strengthened after a sequence of withdrawals that reshaped the contest in the final days before the primary.
The first major shift came when the incumbent Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, announced his withdrawal from the governorship race. In a statement signed on Wednesday, Fubara said his decision was guided by a commitment to maintaining peace and political stability in the state.
Shortly after, George-Kelly Alabo also stepped aside from the contest under the APC platform, further reducing the number of active aspirants in the race.
Earlier, the party’s 2023 governorship candidate, Tonye Cole, had also withdrawn from the 2027 governorship contest, effectively narrowing the field ahead of the primary.
The withdrawals have left Chinda in a favourable position as the APC moves into its governorship primary, with party dynamics now largely consolidating around his candidacy.
The development also comes amid renewed political activity involving the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who arrived in Port Harcourt ahead of the primary exercise.
Wike and Governor Fubara have remained at the centre of a prolonged political rift despite several reconciliation attempts, a backdrop that continues to influence alignments within Rivers politics.
Meanwhile, reactions have trailed the withdrawals. Human rights lawyer Chetam Nwala argued that the governor was never fully committed to the governorship race, describing his participation as inconsistent from the outset.
