By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, should not have picked the All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination form to contest the governorship primary in the state.
Wike said this while remarking on Fubara’s withdrawal from the governorship race after inspecting infrastructure projects in Abuja on Monday, May 25.
He noted that Fubara’s decision to withdraw from the contest is linked to a political peace agreement aimed at stabilising the state.
The FCT minister noted that during the peace talks, Fubara and key political actors in the state agreed to halt impeachment moves against the governor on the condition that he would not contest a second time.
“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.
The minister added that the governor’s decision to obtain the party’s nomination form “didn’t show signs of gentlemanship” despite several interventions aimed at restoring political stability.
“But whatever it is, he has withdrawn and somebody has emerged,” he stated.
Recall that Fubara announced his withdrawal from the APC governorship primary on May 20, saying his decision was taken after consultations and in the interest of peace, unity, and stability in the state.
In a 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.
Wike further expressed confidence in Honourable Kingsley Chinda, who emerged as the winner of the APC governorship primary election in the state.
The minister noted that Chinda’s political credentials position him as a suitable candidate for the governorship position.
He said, “A good product markets itself. Everybody knows that Kingsley Chinda is the material.
“He’s quite experienced. He has worked with the Executive and is now in the Legislature. I am sure that he must have been approached by the All Progressives Congress to join them and then get the ticket.”
