APC guber primaries: Fubara withdraws as aspirants battle in 8 states

The battle for the governorship tickets of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has narrowed down to eight states, following the withdrawal of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, from the governorship race.

Governor Fubara, in a statement he personally signed on Wednesday night, titled, “My decision to withdraw from the Rivers State Gubernatorial Primaries” stated that he will support whoever emerges as the candidate of the party.

He said: “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.”

The odds now favour Kingsley Chinda, as Tonye Cole has also withdrawn from race, though another aspirant, Alabo George Kelly is still in the race.

The continuous altercation between the Minister of the CT and former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike and Fubara marred the chances of his return for a second term as it is believed that he agreed at one of the peace meetings, to do only one term. Aside that the governor does not appear to enjoy the same status as other governors of the APC. Even after his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, he was not formally received into the ruling party like his counterparts.

With loyalists of Fubara missing on the list for the cleared aspirants for the Rivers State House of Assembly primary election scheduled for Wednesday, political observers opined that Fubara was in for tough battle to secure the second term ticket.

However, in a shocking move, Governor Fubara withdrew from the APC governorship primary election on Wednesday night, citing the need to preserve peace, unity, and stability in the state.

Fubara announced his decision in an official statement titled ‘My Decision to Withdraw from the Rivers State Gubernatorial Primaries,’ where he said the move followed deep reflection and consultations with family, friends, and associates.

File: Rivers State Governor Fubara

He stated that although the decision was difficult, it was taken in the overriding interest of Rivers State and the need to place collective good above personal ambition.

“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,” he said.

The governor noted that leadership often requires sacrifice, stressing that at certain moments, personal ambition must give way to the broader interests of the people.

“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 added.

Fubara expressed appreciation to his supporters for their loyalty and encouragement throughout his political journey, acknowledging their emotional and material support.

“To my supporters who stood firmly with me throughout this journey – your time, resources, prayers, and unwavering hope, I offer my deepest gratitude,” he said.

He further described his recent silence as intentional, saying it was guided by what he called “the higher interest of the state.”

“As our elders say, not everything a hunter sees in the forest is spoken of in the marketplace… I have faced immense pressures and difficult choices, but my love for Rivers State remains greater than anything else,” he stated.

The governor also thanked the APC for the platform and expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his encouragement and support.

Fubara, however, stressed that his withdrawal should not be interpreted as weakness or surrender, but rather as a deliberate act of sacrifice for peace in Rivers State.

“Let it be clearly understood that I stepped aside… 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 reaffirmed his commitment to serving the people of Rivers State to the end of his tenure, while calling on party members to remain united and focused on building a stronger APC.

Fubara’s withdrawal comes amid months of political tension and internal power struggles within the Rivers APC, which have significantly shaped the state’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.

Before this latest drama in Rivers politics, Fubara had earlier appeared before the party’s screening committee in Abuja, where he was reportedly involved in a tense encounter that ended abruptly, with the governor said to have walked out of the venue without addressing journalists.

Since then, he has remained largely silent on the unfolding political developments within the party, even as speculation continues to mount over his next move.

Meanwhile, amid the internal turbulence in the Rivers APC, the party reportedly disqualified all 32 aspirants said to have been backed by the governor for the state House of Assembly primaries. Among those affected were three lawmakers who had been loyal to Fubara during the prolonged political crisis in the state, including those aligned with the then factional Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo.

Similarly, three members of the House of Representatives believed to be loyal to the governor —including Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante and Hon. Boma Goodhead — also failed to secure tickets to return to the National Assembly following their disqualification from the primaries.

In the same vein, former Rivers State Deputy Governor and Senator representing Rivers West, Dr Ipalibo Banigo-Harry, who is also considered an ally of Fubara, was affected by the disqualification exercise.

Banigo-Harry, who served as deputy governor under former Governor Nyesom Wike for eight years before their political fallout after her emergence as senator, also lost out in the process.

Amid growing speculation that the governor may be weighing a “Plan B,” Fubara recently dismissed rumours of defection during a project inspection in Port Harcourt, insisting that he remains a loyal member of the APC.

However, palpable tension continues to grip the state as political actors across factions—including supporters of the governor, the camp of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and other stakeholders—await the outcome of Thursday’s primary, which is expected to significantly shape the 2027 political landscape in Rivers State.

Governor Fubara and FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, has been engaged in a running battle for three years following an intractable feud between both since 2023.

Former Rivers Governor Wike influenced Fubara’s emergence as governor in 2023, but both politicians fell out months after because of the struggle for control of the political structures in the oil-rich state.

President Bola Tinubu had brokered two peace deals between the parties, but they all collapsed shortly after.

The crisis later resulted in the declaration of emergency rule in the state in 2025.

Fubara, who was suspended by Tinubu for six months alongside all elected officials in the state in March 2025, returned to office last September after the President declared an end to the emergency rule.

In January, Wike-backed members of the Rivers State House of Assembly commenced the third attempt to impeach Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.

While governors of Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi, Delta, Enugu, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Niger and Sokoto emerged as consensus candidates for a second term, Fubara was pitted against Wike’s loyalist and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, the state’s former Commissioner for Works, Dakorinama George-Kelly, and Tonye Cole.

However, Cole withdrew from the race on Wednesday, citing the need to preserve party unity and stability ahead of today’s primaries. George-Kelly also stepped aside from the race, leaving Chinda as the sole contestant for the governorship primary.

In a statement on Wednesday, Cole, who also contested the 2023 governorship election, said his decision followed extensive consultations and was in line with broader agreements reached at high-level meetings convened by the APC national leadership on the future of the party in Rivers State.

He explained that although the decision was difficult, it was taken in the overriding interest of party unity, peace, and collective progress.

Cole described himself as a loyal party man and committed democrat who had consistently advocated dialogue, reconciliation, and unity among stakeholders and factions within the Rivers APC.

The statement read in part, “I would like to address an important development regarding tomorrow’s (Thursday) primaries.

“As a committed democrat and a firm believer in strong institutions as the foundation for sustainable development, I have consistently advocated for dialogue, reconciliation, and unity among stakeholders and factions within the Rivers State chapter of our great party, the APC.

“In recent days, the national leadership of our party convened a critical stakeholders’ meeting during which far-reaching discussions were held on the future of the Rivers APC and the imperative of presenting a united front ahead of the primaries and the 2027 general elections.

“Following that meeting, and after extensive consultations with members of my political team, associates, supporters, and other key stakeholders, I have taken the decision, in the overriding interest of party unity, peace, and collective progress, to respect the supremacy of the party and withdraw from the forthcoming primaries.”

Cole added that he would support whoever emerges as the party’s candidate after the primaries, urging his supporters to remain peaceful and united.

“This decision was not made lightly. It is the product of deep reflection, patriotism, and an unwavering commitment to the stability, growth, and success of our great party and our beloved state.

“I therefore call on all my supporters to remain calm, peaceful, and steadfast, and to give their full cooperation to the leadership of our great party. Let us unite and work together to secure victory for our President, our party, and all APC candidates in the 2027 general elections,” he said.

Attention shifts to other states
With the withdrawal of Fubara from the governorship race, the focus has shifted to Kwara, Gombe, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Bauchi, Oyo, Ogun and Yobe states where the candidates would be elected through voting as consensus arrangements have failed.

The 2026 Electoral Act provides for two modes of primaries: consensus or direct polls. APC leaders including governors have shown their preference for consensus and have used the method to pick their preferred successors.

This, however, has not gone down well with some of the aspirants who rejected the choices and expressed readiness to go the whole hog in open contests.

The other states where the governors are seeking second terms would be decided mainly by consensus as most of them are standing unopposed.

In this category are Governors Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Dikko Radda (Katsina), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Ahmed Aliyu (Sokoto), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Mohammed Umar Bago (Niger), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), and Peter Mbah (Enugu) who have all been adopted as the party’s consensus candidates ahead of the exercise.

A party source confirmed that while some states failed to agree on a consensus, the national leadership has directed that direct primaries be conducted in those areas.

The source also confirmed that several aspirants have contacted the party secretariat to express concerns over how certain state governors are handling the process.

He noted that the party has already set up primary appeal committees to review these complaints, reassuring stakeholders that justice will be done.

The committees, he added, are expected to begin sitting on May 24.

The party official added that the Governorship Electoral Committees have since departed for their respective states with all necessary electoral materials.

No agreement yet in Bauchi
The battle for the APC gubernatorial ticket in Bauchi State intensified as seven gubernatorial aspirants failed to reach a consensus.

They are expected to battle for the APC ticket today. The gubernatorial primaries is now a battle between former Governor Muhammad Abdullahi Abubakar, against frontline aspirants like former Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Dr Bala Wunti, Dr Nura Manu Soro. Others are Alhaji Kabiru Baba Maji,Baba Abubakar Sulaiman and Yakubu Yakubu Abdullahi.

A public affairs analyst and lecturer at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Dr Aminu Makama Ilelah said there is no doubt that the current political atmosphere is becoming heated, particularly because Bauchi is entering a very competitive political season.

“The APC governorship primary is attracting strong interests from different blocs and political heavyweights, so naturally tensions will rise.

“But the danger is when political competition becomes too emotional or divisive. If not carefully managed, it can polarize supporters along factional, local government, or even senatorial lines. That may increase political hostility and weaken peaceful political engagement.

“What happened in some parts of Bauchi, during the APC primaries has already exposed underlying divisions within the party. We saw allegations of irregularities, complaints about lack of transparency, and even situations where multiple aspirants claimed victory. Those are usually signs of internal distrust,” he said.

Adamawa aspirants hold on to their positions
In Adamawa State, the governorship aspirants have been compelled to go for direct primaries due to their inability to agree on a particular candidate and refusal to step down in favour of any among them.

Those in the race are Tijjani Ahmad Galadima, Abdulrahaman Haske, Salihu Bakari Girei, Aminu lya Abbas, Bello Thul, Salihu Mustapha and.Abdulrazak Namdas.

Reports has it that due to the clash of interest between the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri over who should be the anointed candidate in Adamawa, several meetings were held both in Yola and Abuja to resolve the matter but all efforts were fruitless.

There are reports that promises were made to many by political leaders in the state as has been the practice in the Nigerian political space which worsened the crisis.

Dispute over Wadada’s endorsement lingers
Governor Abdullahi Sule’s endorsement of Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada as the APC candidate for the 2027 Nasarawa governorship is facing mounting resistance, exposing a widening rift within the state chapter of the party.

The crisis, which has unsettled the APC’s succession plan, stems from divisions over elite consensus, zoning, and trust in the primary process.

The opposition has gained momentum as ex-IGP Adamu, former NASENI Executive Vice Chairman Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna, and Hassan Liman, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, purchased gubernatorial forms to challenge Sule’s preferred candidate.

Leading the opposition is ex-IGP Adamu, now with the backing of former Governor Tanko Al-Makura. Challenging them are Prof. Haruna, Hassan Liman SAN, former Attorney General, Tanimu Adamson, former Accountant General, Zakka Ledkwi Yakubu, and the only female aspirant, Fatima Abdullahi.

At the grassroots, supporters and sympathisers are split between those backing Sule’s “Muje Maha” unity push and those rallying behind Al-Makura and Adamu’s alliance.

Political observers say the rift, if unresolved, could produce a fractured primary that weakens the APC ahead of 2027.

With Al-Makura’s backing, Adamu’s camp has gained organisational strength and visibility, giving the challenge more weight within the party.

Yobe: Consensus candidate to face 3 aspirants
The APC consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship election in Yobe State, Alhaji Baba Malam Wali, will today face three others aspirants.

The aspirants are former Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Engr. Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja; Bashir Machina; and Barrister Kashim Musa Tumsah.

The aspirants insisted on the conduct of direct primaries in line with the Electoral Act 2026 and APC guidelines.

Earlier, the number of aspirants was six, but following consultations and the intervention of Vice President Kashim Shettima and Governor Mai Mala Buni, the number was reduced to three.

Speaking at a press briefing in Damaturu, the aspirants demanded the conduct of free, fair, and transparent primary elections.

They said the imposition of any candidate would violate the APC constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act.

In Taraba, ex-minister, Muazu Jaji confronts Gov Kefas
Former Minister of Transport Muazu Jaji will face Governor Agbu Kefas in today’s APC governorship primaries in Taraba State.

Initially, three persons; former Minister of Power, Sale Mamman, Chief David Sabo Kente and the former Minister of Transport Alhaji Muazu Jaji, were in the governorship race, but Sale Mamman was convicted by a Federal High Court for fraud and money laundering, while Chief David Sabo Kente announced his withdrawal from the race, Wednesday.

Kente expressed disappointment over what happened during the party primaries for National Assembly tickets, alleging that some aspirants were unduly favoured.

Muazu Jaji is now the only aspirant to challenge the incumbent governor during the primaries.

The former minister entered Jalingo, the Taraba State capital yesterday and addressed his supporters where he insisted on contesting for the governorship ticket.

He said there must be internal democracy in the APC, where all those going into the party primaries are given a level playing ground.

11 battle for Oyo APC gov ticket; 2 in Ogun
Barring last minutes changes, 11 aspirants who obtained expression of interest and nomination forms on the platform of the APC will battle for the 2027 governorship ticket of the party in Oyo State today.

Eight of the aspirants are from Ibadan, the state capital, while two are from the Oke Ogun axis and one from Ogbomoso.

Those who have reportedly undergone screening by the party in Abuja, include Senator Sharafadeen Alli, Bayo Adelabu, Dr Adewale Kareem, Barrister Akeem Agbaje and Engineer Akeem Alao, all from Ibadan.

Others from the Ibadan axis are Dr Ayobami Lam-Adesina, Prince Asanke Asatola and Mr Ololade Usman.

Other contenders are Senator Abdulfatai Buhari from Ogbomoso, alongside Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin and former deputy governor, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan, both from Oke Ogun.

According to analysts, the dominance of Ibadan aspirants reflects the historical pattern of governorship leadership in the state since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

Except for the late former governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala, who hailed from Ogbomoso, all governors produced by the state since 1999, have emerged from Ibadan.

A former governor, the late Lamidi Adesina, governed the state between 1999 and 2003, while the current Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, ruled between 2003 and 2007.

Alao-Akala governed the state from 2007 to 2011, before the late Abiola Ajimobi served two terms between 2011 and 2019.

Incumbent governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, who is expected to complete his second term in 2027, also hails from the Ibadan axis.

There are speculations that Alli has been picked by President Bola Tinubu as the candidate. Leaders and stakeholders of the APC are also said to be behind Alli as the party’s consensus governorship candidate ahead of the primary election.

Adelabu, who resigned his position as the Minister of Power, had publicly declared that he has Tinubu’s blessings to run the race.

In Ogun, its Yayi vs Hunye
In Ogun State, leaders of the APC, including Governor Dapo Abiodun had unanimously adopted the Senator representing Ogun West, Solomon Adeola (Yayi) as the consensus governorship candidate ahead of the election.

The decision was taken at the APC strategic caucus meeting held at the party’s secretariat in Abeokuta, last month.

The meeting attracted all three former governors, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

Also in attendance were APC gubernatorial aspirants, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, Gboyega Isiaka, Tunde Lemo and Isiak Akinlade.

The governor announced the resolution after the meeting which lasted for about two hours.

However, many were shocked when another governorship aspirant on the platform of the party, Abayomi Hunye, obtained governorship nomination forms.

Like Yayi, Hunye hails from Ogun West, the region that has not produced a governor since the creation of Ogun State in 1976.

He insisted on participating in the primary despite the consensus agreement.

However, there was a report that the Ogun State chapter of the APC had approved the suspension of Hunye, from his Tube Ward in Ipokia Local Government Area of the state.

Reacting two days ago, Hunye denied reports that he stepped down from the race or was suspended from the party.

His insistence may force the ruling party to go for direct primaries today (Thursday) to elect the governorship candidate, ahead of next election.

Its Mutfwang vs Bida in Plateau
In Plateau, a retired military officer Yilcini Bida, dismissed reports on Tuesday that he had stepped down for Governor Caleb Mutfwang.

Speaking on Tuesday, Bida insisted he was fully in the race and was prepared to challenge the incumbent governor at the primary.

“I want to inform the people of Plateau State that I am still in the race. Rumours are flying around that I have stepped down, but I remain fully committed to contesting the primary on Thursday,” he said.

Bida said his administration, if elected, would focus heavily on infrastructure renewal, economic development, and security reforms.

Bida said he was confident of winning the primary despite facing an incumbent governor.

Kwara chaos
Consensus efforts suffered major setbacks in Kwara State, where 13 aspirants are preparing to confront Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s preferred candidate, Yahaya Seriki.

The governor on Tuesday publicly endorsed Seriki as his preferred successor after what he described as “extensive consultations” with party leaders and stakeholders.

In a statement posted on his Facebook page, AbdulRazaq said Seriki possessed the capacity and political reach required to sustain the administration’s achievements.

“Following extensive consultations with party structures and leadership, I am pleased to endorse Ambassador Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki as my preferred successor under the platform of our party, the APC,” the governor stated.

He described Seriki as “young, pro-people, astute and broad-minded,” adding that the businessman and political mobiliser enjoyed “profound investments and extensive goodwill among the people of Kwara State.”

The governor, however, stressed that his endorsement did not invalidate the ambitions of other aspirants.

“While this does not in any way preclude all other aspirants from contesting in the primaries, I urge members and leaders to affirm the choice of Seriki for cohesion, unity and continuous success of the party,” he added.

Other states
Bauchi also recorded eight aspirants, among them the immediate past Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar, Senator Shehu Buba Umar, and former governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar.

In Abia State, the party recorded four aspirants namely Mascot Uzor-Kalu, Henry Ikoh, Martins Azubuike, and Opah Chinemeucheya.

Benue State has four aspirants – Mathias Byuan, Kuraun Isaac, Akutah Ukeyima and Terwase Orbunde – vying for the state’s top job against Governor Hyacinth Alia.

Gombe State recorded two aspirants – Senator Sa’id Alkali, who is vying against Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s preferred candidate Jamil Gwamna.