The political future of Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has become the subject of intense speculation following his notable absence from the All Progressives Congress (APC) screening exercise for incumbent governors, which has concluded in the nation’s capital.
The screening, chaired by the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, and National Secretary, Dr Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, sought to vet 14 sitting governors and other high-profile aspirants ahead of the party’s primary elections scheduled for later this month.
Despite reports that prominent Rivers indigenes including federal lawmaker Awaj-Inombek Abiante and former Education Commissioner Dr Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja had procured the expression of interest and nomination forms on his behalf, Governor Fubara did not appear before the panel during the sessions held on Friday and Saturday.
The Governor’s absence is particularly significant given the protracted political friction between his administration and his predecessor, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike. Sources suggest the forms were obtained via proxy, allegedly in defiance of opposition from the Wike-led faction of the party in Rivers State.
In a bid to douse rising tensions, Professor Yilwatda urged observers not to “single out” the Rivers State Governor. He clarified that three governors in total had yet to appear, citing their demanding roles as state chief executives.
“Any governor who has state issues to attend to… we excuse them,” Yilwatda stated. “They are chief executives and field commanders. Anytime they are free, within the stipulated time, the screening committee will be available and we will provide a slot for them.”
The uncertainty surrounding Governor Fubara is further compounded by the entry of several formidable challengers into the APC race. Dr Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja confirmed to the press that the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, despite his current standing in the PDP, has formally obtained an APC governorship form.
Key aspirants seeking the APC ticket in Rivers include: Sir Siminalayi Fubara: The incumbent Governor (status of form presentation unconfirmed). Kingsley Chinda: Minority Leader of the House of Representatives. Dr Dax George-Kelly: Former Rivers Commissioner for Works and current DG of the BCDA.
As the APC moves toward its governorship primaries on 21 May, the party faces a complex task in Rivers State. While other governors, such as Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe) and Abba Yusuf (Kano), have already successfully navigated the screening process, Fubara’s path remains clouded by the dual challenges of administrative vetting and internal party warfare.
With the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fixing the governorship elections for 6 February 2027, the coming days will be critical in determining whether the incumbent Governor will secure the “Progressives” platform or if the party will pivot toward the allies of the FCT Minister.
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