In a resounding endorsement of the current administration’s trajectory, prominent stakeholders within the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have formally obtained the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for Governor Siminalayi Fubara, ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial contest.
The delegation, led by the Honourable Awaji-Inombek Abiante, the member representing the Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives disclosed that the decision was a collective resolution reached by elders and leaders across the state’s twenty-three local government areas. The move is intended to ensure that Governor Fubara continues his tenure in what they described as the “overall interest of the people.”
Addressing the press following the procurement of the documents, Honourable Abiante maintained that the gesture, while significant, is a recognised democratic tradition. He noted that such actions underscore deep-seated public confidence in the Governor’s leadership over the preceding three years.
“This is not a novel occurrence,” Abiante remarked. “Even at the national level, stakeholders have historically procured nomination forms for preferred candidates. It is a democratic tradition rooted in collective will. This is not about the depth of one’s pockets; it is about the sentiment of the populace. The people of Rivers State have articulated their position with absolute clarity: they desire continuity.”
The stakeholders cited the administration’s focus on infrastructure and economic inclusion as the primary catalysts for their support. Honourable Abiante specifically highlighted the Governor’s success in providing access to previously neglected riverine communities, which has integrated them into the state’s broader economic framework.
The delegation pointed to several key achievements: Infrastructure: Visible progress in road networks and community connectivity, Riverine Access: Revitalisation of neglected areas, particularly in Andoni, where long-standing geographical challenges were addressed within months, and Economic Diversification: Strategic positioning of coastal communities to benefit from the burgeoning “blue economy.”
“Communities once entirely cut off are now connected and positioned to contribute meaningfully to our maritime wealth,” Abiante stated, adding that these developmental strides have renewed economic opportunities across the state.
Crucially, the stakeholders emphasised that the Governor was not the architect of this move. Honourable Abiante clarified that the procurement of the forms was a spontaneous and self-funded initiative by the people of Rivers State, acting through their representative leaders.
“He [Fubara] did not send us,” the federal lawmaker asserted. “This is the voice of the people speaking through their leaders. We have come on their behalf, and the people have contributed their own resources to make this a reality. Having seen this level of support, the Governor cannot turn his back on them. The people of Rivers are firmly behind him.”
As the political landscape begins to take shape for the 2027 cycle, this early consolidation of support within the APC suggests a formidable foundation for Governor Fubara’s re-election bid, predicated on a platform of infrastructural continuity and grassroots inclusion.
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