Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Tonye Cole, have withdrawn from the APC governorship primary election scheduled for Thursday.
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The two aspirants announced their decisions separately on Wednesday, citing the need to preserve party unity, peace, stability and collective progress ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Fubara, in a statement he personally signed and titled “My Decision To Withdraw From The Rivers State Gubernatorial Primaries,” said the decision followed deep reflection and extensive consultations with his family, friends and associates.
He said he would support whoever emerges as the APC governorship candidate.
“After deep reflection and extensive consultations with my family, friends, and associates, I have taken the difficult but necessary decision to withdraw from the APC gubernatorial primaries. I do so with a full heart and with a firm commitment to support whoever emerges as the candidate of our great party,” Fubara said.
The governor said leadership requires sacrifice, adding that the interest of Rivers State must come above personal ambition.
“Leadership is ultimately about sacrifice. There comes a time when personal ambition must yield to the greater good of the people. Rivers State is bigger than any individual, and at this critical moment, the peace, stability, and unity of our dear state must take precedence over every personal interest,” he added.
Fubara thanked his supporters for their loyalty, prayers and sacrifices, saying he understood their disappointment and pain.
He said his silence during the political process was deliberate and guided by the higher interest of the state.
“As our elders say, not everything a hunter sees in the forest is spoken of in the marketplace. Some truths are best borne quietly, not out of fear, but out of wisdom and restraint for the sake of peace and a greater purpose,” he stated.
Fubara said he had faced immense pressure and difficult choices but insisted that his love for Rivers State remained greater than personal interest.
He also thanked President Bola Tinubu and the APC for their support, urging party members to remain steadfast and united.
“Let it be clearly understood that I stepped aside from participating in the upcoming Rivers State gubernatorial election not out of weakness, fear, or surrender, but out of conviction and sacrifice so that Rivers State may move forward in peace and unity,” he said.
In a similar development, Tonye Cole, who was the APC governorship candidate in the 2023 election, also announced his withdrawal from the race.
Cole said his decision followed critical stakeholders’ meetings convened by the national leadership of the APC on the future of the party in Rivers State and the need to present a united front.
He said after consulting with his political team, associates, supporters, family and key stakeholders, he decided to respect the supremacy of the party and withdraw from the primary.
“In recent days, the national leadership of our party convened a critical stakeholders’ meeting during which far-reaching discussions were held on the future of the Rivers APC and the imperative of presenting a united front ahead of the primaries and the 2027 general elections,” Cole said.
“Following that meeting, and after extensive consultations with members of my political team, associates, supporters, and other key stakeholders, I have taken the decision, in the overriding interest of party unity, peace, and collective progress, to respect the supremacy of the party and withdraw from the forthcoming primaries.”
Cole said the decision was not taken lightly but was driven by patriotism, reflection and commitment to the stability of the APC and Rivers State.
He pledged his support and cooperation to whoever emerges as the party’s candidate.
The former governorship candidate also thanked his supporters, including women groups, youths, elders and party faithful, for standing by him throughout the process.
He urged them to remain calm, peaceful and loyal to the party leadership.
“Although I may be stepping aside from this contest, I remain fully committed to the ideals, principles, and aspirations that brought us together, and I will continue to work tirelessly for the progress of our party, the development of Rivers State, and the important change we all want to see,” Cole said.
“I therefore call on all my supporters to remain calm, peaceful, and steadfast, and to give their full cooperation to the leadership of our great party.”
The withdrawal of both Fubara and Cole comes hours before the APC governorship primary in Rivers State, leaving the party’s final choice of candidate to emerge from the remaining aspirants and the decisions of the party leadership.
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