Tinubu, Wike Block Fubara’s Reelection, Back Chinda for Rivers Governor

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s bid for a second term has hit a major roadblock after President Bola Tinubu and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike reportedly rejected his re-election ambition and threw their support behind former House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda for the APC governorship ticket.

An authoritative party source, who asked to remain anonymous, told THEWILL that the President directed APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda to give Wike full control of the party’s structure in Rivers State and approve all his nominees as candidates.

“Wike has nominated Kingsley Chinda, who currently represents Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, as his preferred choice for the APC’s governorship ticket,” the source said.

Fubara’s Failed Appeal

Fubara had unsuccessfully sought the president’s support. “The President said he should go and talk to Wike about it. If Wike agrees then he has his full support. As you already know, Wike has repeatedly said Fubara will not get a second term. So we will not give him the ticket to our party,” the source added.

Chinda was until last week a member of the Peoples Democratic Party and served as Minority Leader in the House. He was cleared by the APC screening panel last week to run in the governorship primary, despite questions about his eligibility given his recent defection.

The development represents the latest chapter in the protracted Fubara-Wike power tussle that has fractured Rivers politics since the governor’s defection to the APC.

Wike Loyalists Dominate Screening

Recent screening exercises conducted by the APC for National and State Assembly aspirants have strengthened perceptions that Wike’s loyalists now dominate the Rivers APC structure. Three serving lawmakers identified as loyal to Fubara were disqualified from participating in the party’s primaries.

Those disqualified include Hon. Anderson Allison, Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante and Hon. Boma Goodhead—lawmakers who openly aligned with Fubara during the prolonged political crisis that fractured Rivers politics.

The Rivers State House of Assembly Screening Committee cleared only 33 aspirants while disqualifying 65 others over alleged compliance and documentation-related infractions. The pattern of disqualifications has fuelled controversy because many aspirants linked to Fubara’s camp were screened out, while aspirants associated with Wike’s political structure were largely cleared.

The governorship primary is scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2026, with Fubara expected to face Chinda, Dax George-Kelly, and Tonye Cole for the party’s ticket.

Sources: THEWILL, ThisDay, Punch