Former Governor of Rivers State and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has revealed that the decision of Siminalayi Fubara, the Rivers State governor, to withdraw from contesting a second term under the All Progressives Congress (APC), did not come as a shock to him.

The Rivers State governor who had earlier purchased the form to seek re-election withdrew just a day before the party’s governorship primary, explaining that he did so in his desire to see the state return to unity, peace, and progress.

Kingsley Chinda, a close ally of Minister Wike and a member of the Federal House of Representatives, emerged as the party’s governorship candidate in the state following Fubara’s withdrawal and the primary conducted on May 21.

Wike assures the people of Rivers State that Chinda will perform as Rivers State governor during his inspection of the ongoing infrastructural projects in the FCT, saying he has both legislative and executive experience.

The political impasse between the former governor and Fubara has continued, and it does not appear there is a solution in sight, which almost led to the impeachment of the latter by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who are mostly loyal to the minister.

Wike has also revolted against the return of Fubara as Rivers State governor, accusing him of breaching a peace agreement they both signed at the instance of President Bola Tinubu.