Wike: Fubara Signed Agreement Not to Seek Second Term

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, said that Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara withdrew from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship race after an agreement was reached with factions opposed to him. The agreement stipulated that the impeachment proceedings against Fubara would be dropped if he agreed not to seek re‑election in 2027.

Wike made the comments during an inspection tour of projects slated for the third anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He expressed that he was not surprised by Fubara’s withdrawal from the primaries, calling the governor’s actions a betrayal and a lack of principle for having collected the nomination form before the agreement was finalized.

“I’m not surprised that the governor withdrew. In the first place, he ought not to have collected the form, because the agreement was reached that the impeachment should be dropped while he should also not talk about a second tenure,” Wike said. “I’m not surprised that he had to withdraw at that stage. But by collecting the form first, he didn’t show the sign of gentlemanliness. He didn’t show that sign and that was not expected.”

He added that he had expected President Tinubu to intervene and persuade the legislature to halt the impeachment, but the governor ultimately withdrew, allowing a new APC governorship candidate to emerge.

The former governor of Rivers State, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, who has been selected as the APC governorship candidate, was described by Wike as a “good product that markets itself.” Chinda, a member of the House of Representatives, has experience working with the executive and was noted by Wike for his vocal presence as a minority leader on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform.

Wike also highlighted progress on several infrastructure projects. He said the Renewed Hope City in Karsana, executed by Lubriks, is 98 % completed, and the Old Keffi Road in Dei Dei, which is being asphalted and fitted with street lights, is ready for commissioning. He praised the work on Airport Road to Kuje, calling it a “fantastic job” that he believes will be admired by visitors, and expressed pride in the contractors, particularly the Arab contractors, for their contributions.