Barely hours after Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, withdrew from the 2027 governorship race, another politician bearing the Fubara name has entered the contest under the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The new entrant, identified as Blessing Fubara Snr., has obtained the party’s nomination and expression of interest forms to contest the 2027 governorship election in Rivers State.
Blessing Fubara secured the forms at the NDC national headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, sparking fresh political conversations within Rivers political circles following the governor’s sudden withdrawal from the race.
Political attention trails emergence
Although both Blessing Fubara and Governor Siminalayi Fubara are from Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State, it was not immediately confirmed whether they are directly related.
The Rivers State Chairman of NDC, Hon. Success Jack, confirmed that Blessing Fubara is one of the party’s governorship aspirants but said he could not verify any family connection between him and the governor.
“Yes, he obtained his expression of interest form yesterday in Abuja, and we are prepared and still preparing to win not only the governorship election, but all elections in Rivers State come 2027,” the party chairman said.
Former APC members move to NDC
Blessing Fubara reportedly defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the NDC about two weeks ago.
During his defection in Abuja, he was received by the national leader of the party, Senator Seriake Dickson, alongside other stakeholders.
At the event, he reportedly described the NDC as “a moving train,” insisting that his decision to join the party was driven by the interest of Rivers people.
He also stated that “the soul of Rivers State is at stake” as political realignments ahead of 2027 continue gathering momentum.
Aspirant projects grassroots, development credentials
Blessing Fubara Snr. holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Development and Adult Education and currently serves as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of D’Consiglories LLC.
He is also described as a development strategist, urban renewal consultant and grassroots mobiliser with experience in public sector advisory and youth empowerment initiatives.
His emergence is already attracting mixed reactions across Rivers political space.
While supporters of the NDC see his candidacy as part of a growing political movement capable of reshaping the state’s opposition landscape, critics argue that the real challenge will be the party’s ability to build a formidable statewide structure strong enough to compete with larger and more established political parties ahead of the 2027 elections.
His antecedent in politics hasn’t been in volume but his reported voyage into Rivers state political space has been met with mixed reactions.
Between Governor Fubara and Minister Wike
With the exit of Governor Fubara, political standing has remained highly pressured. After facing intense pressure, the governor and several allies withdrew from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries, effectively signaling a step back from directly challenging Wike’s established hold on the party apparatus.
Governor Fubara has periodically sought to ease hostilities by reaching out to former political rivals and appealing for calm among his support base. Nevertheless, legislative and financial hostilities frequently resurface, with lawmakers demanding the resubmission of commissioner lists and budgets.
The FCT Minister continues to hold immense sway over the political machinery across both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Wike’s camp is eyeing key contenders and is determined to dictate the direction of the APC’s governorship candidacy in 2027.
Failed federal government Intervention
The federal government and President Bola Tinubu have repeatedly intervened to broker peace agreements, though compliance with these terms has remained a persistent source of friction between the executive and legislative arms.
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