Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has revealed the reasons he withdrew from the 2027 governorship race in the state.

He made this known, stating that his decision was taken after consultations and in the interest of peace, unity, and stability in the state.

In the statement titled “My Decision to Withdraw from the Rivers State Gubernatorial Primaries,” the governor said the move followed careful reflection and discussions with family, allies, and associates.

However, reacting, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Monday said the withdrawal of Fubara from the 2027 governorship race aligns with the peace agreement aimed at stabilising the state.

He also disclosed that the withdrawal was not a surprise, but aligns with the understandings reached during reconciliation efforts involving key political actors in Rivers State.

Wike stated this on Monday while briefing journalists after inspecting infrastructure projects in Abuja.

According to the former governor, part of the understanding included dropping impeachment threats against Fubara on the condition that he would not seek a second term.

Wike also faulted the governor’s earlier decision to obtain nomination forms of the APC, saying it ran contrary to the spirit of the agreement and complicated reconciliation efforts.

“I am not surprised that the governor withdrew. In the first place, he ought not to have collected the form, because agreement was reached that the impeachment should be dropped, while he should also not go about a second term,” Wike said.

He added that the governor’s earlier actions “did not show signs of gentlemanship” despite several interventions aimed at restoring stability.

“But whatever it is, he has withdrawn, and somebody has emerged,” he stated.

Wike also expressed confidence in Kingsley Chinda’s political credentials, describing the lawmaker as a suitable candidate for the governorship position.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu intervened in the crisis between Wike and Fubara, including supervising a peace pact signed by the two sides before Fubara went against the terms, a move that led to the state of emergency in the state.