Blessing Fubara Senior, brother of Siminalayi Fubara, has declared his intention to contest the Rivers State governorship election under the Nigerian Democratic Congress, promising to serve only one term if elected.
The governorship hopeful made the declaration ahead of the party’s primary election, describing himself as a “ready, competent and energetic” candidate determined to restore peace, stability and economic prosperity in Rivers State.
Fubara said the state had suffered economic decline, political instability and loss of dignity, insisting that the people must unite across political and ethnic lines to reclaim the state’s lost glory.
“I am addressing you today on the occasion of the Nigerian Democratic Party, Nigerian Democratic Congress Party primary elections across states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
“We are standing on a ground competent, reliable and reputable to restore the soul of Nigeria and restore the soul of River State. The case of the political happenings in Rivers State cannot be overemphasised. The people are feeling for this purpose.”
He lamented what he described as the worsening political and economic situation in the state.
“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 stated.
The aspirant promised to rebuild the state and restore economic growth if given the mandate.
According to him, Rivers State must return to its status as the “treasure base of the nation.”
“Therefore, it is time for a total uprising, for us to make a statement across party lines, across our ethnic and political sentiments, to take over our states and return our dear River States to the zenith of the state as it was known as the treasure base of the nation that was characterised with steaming and booming economic prosperity,” he said.
Fubara also stressed the need to maintain the state’s political zoning arrangement, insisting that the Rivers South-East Senatorial District must complete its eight-year tenure in office.
“We have vowed to you to keep the peaceful existence of the political rotation of River States according to our founding fathers by our districts. The River Southeast Senatorial District must complete their 8-year tenure,” he said.
He pledged to spend only four years in office if elected governor.
“Therefore, I have vowed to do just a 4-year one-term tenure to bring the expected prosperity and development in River State,” he added.
According to him, respecting the zoning arrangement was necessary to sustain peace and political balance in the state.
“It is of pertinent reasoning for us to understand that it sets a very wrong and dangerous precedent if we alter the senatorial rotation of our leadership and governance in the state,” he stated.
Fubara further argued that political strength should not be measured by financial influence but by the support of the people.
“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.
The governorship hopeful also called on his supporters across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State to mobilise massively for the party’s primary election.
“I’m calling on my 2 million fans across the 23 local governments of River State that are carrying party holders of the Nigerian Democratic Congress to all come in mass, stand at your polling units, stand at your wards, make a statement for us to reclaim the soul of our dear River States,” he said.
He also appealed to his “elder brother” in the governorship race to step down and support what he described as a people-driven movement to rescue the state.
“Therefore, I call on my elder brother also in the contest to see reasons to the reason that this is the right time for us to take over our state,” he said.
“To rather step down and support the call of the people, the uprising of the people for us to take back our dear state and restore a prosperous and progressive state for all.”
What You Should Know
The Rivers State political landscape has remained tense following months of political rivalry and internal power struggles involving major political actors in the state.
The emergence of Blessing Fubara Senior in the governorship race introduces another layer to the unfolding political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections.
His emphasis on zoning and a one-term pledge reflects the long-standing rotational arrangement among the state’s senatorial districts, which many stakeholders consider important for maintaining political stability and fairness in Rivers State.
The development also highlights the growing activities within opposition parties as preparations intensify ahead of the governorship primaries and the wider 2027 general elections.
