Blessing Fubara joins Rivers governorship race, pledges one-term tenure under NDC

Blessing Fubara, brother of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), pledging to serve only a single term if elected.

Speaking ahead of the party’s primaries, Fubara described himself as a “ready, competent and energetic” aspirant committed to restoring peace, stability and economic growth in Rivers State, which he said has suffered political and economic setbacks in recent times.

According to him, the state has lost significant opportunities, investments and public confidence due to ongoing challenges.

“We have lost opportunities. We have lost investments. We have lost our dignity as a people. We have lost our pride as Rivers people,” he said.

The governorship hopeful called for a broad political awakening across ethnic and political divides, urging residents to unite in what he described as a collective effort to reclaim the state’s lost glory.

“Today, we see a Rivers State that is distressed. Today, we see a Rivers State that is shortchanged. Today, we see a Rivers State that seems almost like a conquered state. No, we are not a conquered people,” he stated.

Fubara also pledged to respect the state’s existing zoning arrangement, insisting that the Rivers South-East Senatorial District must be allowed to complete its eight-year leadership cycle in line with political understanding among stakeholders.

He vowed, “I have vowed to do just a four-year one-term tenure to bring the expected prosperity and development in Rivers State.”

The aspirant maintained that leadership should not be determined by financial strength but by popular support and grassroots acceptance, adding that his campaign would rely heavily on the people across the 23 local government areas of the state.

“We might not challenge the financial capacity that they have, but we know that we have the people, so we are richer in capacity,” he said.

Fubara further urged supporters to mobilise ahead of the party’s primaries, describing the contest as a movement to restore stability and development to Rivers State.

He also appealed to his “elder brother” in the race to step down in support of what he called a people-driven political movement aimed at repositioning the state for progress.

According to him, maintaining zoning and political rotation is critical to peace and fairness in Rivers politics, warning that any disruption could destabilise governance structures.

He pledged that, if elected, his administration would prioritise peace, infrastructure development and economic revival across the state.