Analyst Akpobari labels Rivers Governor Fubara’s endorsement of Chinda as political suicide

Public affairs analyst Celestine Akpobari has publicly condemned Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara for withdrawing from the 2027 governorship contest and endorsing Representative Kingsley Chinda. Speaking on Arise News, Akpobari described the decision as a “political suicide”, arguing that Fubara has abandoned the supporters who defended him during a prolonged political clash with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike.

Akpobari’s comments, first reported by The Sun Nigeria on 9 November 2026, highlighted the governor’s perceived betrayal of Rivers voters. He likened the move to a driver abandoning passengers mid‑journey and warned that the governor’s political relevance in the state is now effectively destroyed. The analyst also suggested that any future electoral bid by Fubara would be rejected by voters, even if he were to seek a non‑elective appointment.

Background

Rivers politics has been defined by the conflict between Governor Fubara and Minister Wike for several months, a period during which Fubara’s government has been described as navigating a long-lasting political crisis. Akpobari noted that, despite the chaos, Fubara successfully completed infrastructure initiatives that he believed would have been impossible for anyone else to execute under such conditions, thereby demonstrating a level of administrative skill.

In the lead‑up to the 2027 elections, Fubara announced his decision to step aside and endorse Kingsley Chinda, a sitting federal representative. While the governor presented this backing as a tactical effort to unify support around one candidate, Akpobari viewed it as a disloyal act toward the base supporters who had devoted significant resources to protecting him.

Why it matters

Akpobari’s criticism underscores the potential fracturing of the political base that has traditionally backed the governor’s party in Rivers State. If supporters feel abandoned, the endorsement of Chinda could weaken the governor’s influence over party structures and voter mobilisation. The analyst warned that the governor’s past achievements may no longer translate into political capital, potentially affecting future appointments and the distribution of patronage.

The reaction also reflects broader concerns about political loyalty and the management of intra‑party disputes in Nigeria’s volatile regional politics. By framing the decision as a “bomb” that Fubara has thrown at himself, Akpobari suggests that the governor’s standing with both the electorate and party elites may be severely compromised.

What happens next

Akpobari indicated that while Fubara might still receive an appointed position, any attempt to contest future elections in Rivers State would likely be unsuccessful. No specific timeline for further political developments was provided, but the analyst’s remarks imply that the governor’s political future will hinge on how the endorsement of Chinda is received by the electorate and party officials ahead of the 2027 governorship race.