River State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has officially announced his withdrawal from the 2027 governorship contest, pledging to support whoever emerges as candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the state.

In a statement Wednesday evening which he personally signed, Fubara thanked the people of River State for standing with him and assured his continued efforts towards development of the state.

His statement reads-

Fellow Rivers People,

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.

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.

To my supporters who stood firmly with me throughout this journey who gave their time, resources, prayers, and unwavering hope, I offer my deepest gratitude. I understand the disappointment, the anger, and the pain many of you may feel. Much has indeed been invested and much sacrificed along the way. But please know that your loyalty and trust were never in vain. My silence over this period was deliberate and strategic, guided always by the higher interest of our state and our people.

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. It is enough to say that I have faced immense pressures and difficult choices, but my love for Rivers State remains greater than anything else.

I sincerely thank our great party, the All Progressives Congress, for the platform and support extended to me throughout this process. I also express my profound appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his support and encouragement.

The APC remains our collective home, and I urge all party faithful and supporters to remain steadfast and committed as we continue to build a stronger and more united future together.

Let it be clearly understood that I stepped aside from participating in the upcoming River’s 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 and I remain committed to serving the good people of Rivers state till the end of my term.

Thank you, and may God bless Rivers State.

Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS
Governor, Rivers State
May 20, 2026 .

By Josh S. Uwa

The argument that former President Goodluck Jonathan should remain outside the 2027 race is often framed as a matter of preserving his dignity and legacy. That concern is understandable. But at critical moments in a nation’s history, duty must take precedence over comfort, and national rescue over personal preservation.

Nigeria is not approaching an ordinary election cycle. The country is facing a profound crisis of confidence in leadership, institutions and governance itself. Public trust is eroding rapidly. Political parties have become largely transactional platforms for power acquisition rather than vehicles of ideology, competence or national renewal. At such moments, nations naturally look toward tested hands, not political experiments.

President Jonathan’s status as a former Head of State and respected global statesman should not be treated as a ceremonial retirement plaque. It is evidence of experience under pressure. Around the world, countries in moments of uncertainty have turned back to leaders who understand the burdens of office, the complexity of national cohesion, and the consequences of political recklessness.

The claim that this is an “ill-opportune” time to draft him fundamentally misunderstands the urgency of the moment. National crises do not wait for convenient timing. Leadership is most required precisely when conditions are unstable, fractured and dangerous. Waiting endlessly for a “better moment” while insecurity deepens, economic hardship intensifies and social trust collapses is itself a dangerous luxury.

Yes, the growing calls for Jonathan’s return reflect a form of desperation. But desperation is not always irrational. Sometimes it is the clearest indicator that citizens no longer believe the current political direction is sustainable. Nigerians are not revisiting Jonathan merely out of nostalgia. Many are reassessing his era through the harsh realities of the present and concluding that some of the values once dismissed , restraint, civility, democratic tolerance and institutional respect , may have been more valuable than previously appreciated.

To argue that he should be “saved for the future” assumes there will still be sufficient national stability left to preserve if decisive intervention is delayed further. Leadership is not something to be archived and admired from a distance. Leadership exists to be deployed when the stakes are highest.

President Jonathan’s peaceful transfer of power remains one of the most important democratic moments in Nigeria’s modern history. In a continent where incumbents often cling desperately to office, he chose national stability over personal ambition. That singular act gave him international credibility that remains intact today. Combined with his relative distance from the bitterness, vendettas and factional warfare dominating current politics, it places him in a uniquely stabilizing position.

A Jonathan candidacy would not simply be about politics. It would represent an attempt to calm national tensions, restore institutional confidence and reset the tone of governance and public engagement.

Running for office again would not diminish his dignity. It could very well become the highest expression of it.

History rarely calls leaders at convenient moments. It calls them when nations are vulnerable, divided and uncertain of their future. If the Nigerian people genuinely believe he still has a role to play in preventing further national decline, then answering that call becomes not merely a political choice, but a patriotic obligation.

The rescue mission cannot wait for a more comfortable or more dignified season.

Run, Jonathan, Run.

Josh S. Uwa writes from Abuja.

Photo caption: Symbolic presentation of farm inputs to beneficiaries as Dangote cement plant Gboko flagged off series of multi million naira empowerment programmes for its host communities in Gboko, Benue State on Wednesday.

Hundreds of residents in six Benue State communities were overwhelmed with not Wednesday when Dangote Cement Plc flagged off three multi-million-naira empowerment programmes for farmers in the areas.

Beneficiaries of the massive empowerment projects were mainly women and youths in its six host communities in Gboko Local Government Area.

In appreciation of the uncommon philanthropic gesture, women sang and danced as farmers applauded and youth groups cheered as the company announced a new round of support aimed at helping beneficiaries expand their businesses, improve agricultural productivity and acquire vocational skills.

The programme aims to benefit residents of Tse-Kucha, Quarry, Amua, Mbazembe, Mbatur and Pass Brothers communities in Benue State.

Under the scheme, 150 women will receive cash grants to support their businesses, 52 farmers will be provided with agricultural inputs, and 30 young people are to undergo skills development training.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, commended the Dangote Group for the new feat, and sustained investments in the development of its host communities.

Represented at the event by Mrs. Usman Adijatu, the minister said the Federal Government is proud of the significant social and economic contributions of Dangote Cement Plc in Benue State and across Nigeria.

He noted that the company’s community-focused interventions complement the government’s efforts to promote inclusive growth, reduce poverty and create sustainable livelihoods in mining and industrial host communities.

Dr. Alake urged the beneficiaries to make prudent and productive use of the agricultural inputs, cash grants and vocational training opportunities provided by Dangote Cement, stressing that the support should serve as a springboard for long-term economic empowerment and self-reliance.

Also speaking, the Head of Social Performance, Pan-African Operations, at Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Wakeel Olayiwola, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to implementing Corporate Social Responsibility programmes, developed jointly by the company, government and host communities under the Community Development Agreement(CDA)framework.

He described the six host communities as peaceful and supportive, and urged them to sustain the harmonious relationship that has enabled the successful implementation of numerous development programmes.

Mr. Olayiwola also commended members of the CDA Consultative Committee for conducting a transparent and credible beneficiary selection process, noting that their diligence had helped ensure that the interventions reached deserving members of the communities.

The Plant Director of Dangote Cement, Gboko Plant, Engr. Abhijit Dutta, said the initiative is part of the company’s efforts to improve livelihoods in communities where it operates.

He said the company sees its host communities as partners and believes business growth should go hand in hand with community development.

“Our host communities are not just neighbours; they are valued partners in progress,” he said.

Mr. Dutta said the programme is part of a five-year Community Development Agreement (CDA) that began in 2025 and is intended to ensure that all six communities benefit from the company’s social investment programmes.

He said the interventions were designed to promote self-reliance, reduce poverty and create sustainable economic opportunities.

According to him, the company will also launch a scholarship scheme for students from the host communities in the coming months.

Mr. Dutta said the President and Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, is committed to improving the welfare of communities hosting the Group’s operations.

He noted that more than 230 people benefitted from similar programmes last year and said the company plans to continue the initiative throughout the duration of the current CDA.

Mr. Dutta also said several projects under the agreement are already in progress and that all outstanding projects are expected to be completed this year.

He urged beneficiaries to use the support responsibly, especially the women receiving cash grants, and to invest the funds in their businesses.

The company thanked community leaders, traditional rulers and youth groups for maintaining peaceful relations with the plant, saying continued cooperation would help sustain development and shared prosperity in the area.

The Head of Social Performance at Dangote Cement Plc, Dr. Johnson Kor, said the company operates a broad range of community development and empowerment initiatives designed to enhance the socio-economic wellbeing of its host communities.

Also speaking at the event, the paramount ruler of the Gboko communities, the Ter Gboko, HRH Gabriel Shosum, praised Dangote Cement for its sustained commitment to the welfare and development of his people, describing the company’s interventions as both impactful and commendable.

He assured the company of the continued goodwill and cooperation of the host communities, noting that they would remain strong ambassadors of Dangote Cement.

The royal father also urged community members to maintain peace and continue supporting the company so that they can derive even greater benefits from its social investment initiatives.

The company had said earlier that the selected youths will be trained by the Industrial Training Fund(ITF).