Fubara’s Loyalists Wiped Out in APC Rivers Primaries — What He Must Do Next to Survive

Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s loyalists were wiped out in the Rivers APC House of Assembly primaries. Every candidate he backed lost. Every candidate his estranged godfather Nyesom Wike backed won. The message is clear: Fubara has no party structure left.

His first move must be immediate defection to NDC and align with Peter Obi. The APC in Rivers is now Wike’s personal machine. Staying means fighting without ammunition. The NDC offers a national platform, access to a vast network of Nigerian youths who are yearning for change from the old order.

Next, he must secure backing from his colleagues. Governors like Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom) and Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta) understand the godfather playbook. Their collective shield can protect him from Wike’s federal reach and signal to voters that he is not politically orphaned.

Finally, he must build a parallel grassroots structure independent of party machinery. Local government chairmen, youth groups, and women cooperatives who owe loyalty to the governor’s office—not the party—are his firewall. State resources must be deployed carefully; the EFCC is watching, but Rivers has money, and Fubara needs foot soldiers on the ground.

The hard truth: Fubara cannot defeat Wike in a straight fight. Wike has the party, the federal influence, the money, and the ruthlessness. Fubara has the governorship, grassroots sympathy, and time—but not much. If he moves now—decisively, without looking back—he survives. If he hesitates, negotiates, or tries to thread a needle that no longer exists, he learns the oldest lesson in Nigerian politics: godfathers don’t forgive, and they never forget.

What should Fubara do? Drop your take below!