NCSU Blames Tinubu For Fubara’s Political Ordeal
The Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) has blamed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the political challenges facing Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, following his withdrawal from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries ahead of the 2027 elections.
Governor Fubara had on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 announced his withdrawal from the Rivers State APC governorship primaries, citing what he described as “intense political pressure” and an unfavourable atmosphere surrounding the contest.
Reacting to the development during an interview in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Chairman of the NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of abandoning the governor at a critical moment despite Fubara’s earlier efforts to seek political protection and leverage from the Presidency amid the lingering political crisis in the state.
According to Osumah, the President failed to provide the political safeguards and reconciliation needed to stabilise the situation between Governor Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, thereby worsening divisions within the political structure in Rivers State.
He alleged that rather than acting as a neutral father figure capable of reconciling both camps, the President appeared to have taken sides in the prolonged political dispute.
“What President Tinubu has done to Governor Fubara can be likened to a situation where a son, who was being pursued by his killers, ran to his father for protection. Instead of protecting him, the father released him to those after him. That is exactly what has happened politically,” Osumah stated.
The labour leader maintained that many Rivers residents, particularly civil servants, were disappointed over the governor’s withdrawal from the race, noting that Fubara had enjoyed considerable support among workers because of what he described as his people-oriented policies and commitment to governance.
He further claimed that the political development had generated widespread anger, sympathy and concern among residents who viewed the governor as a leader who aligned himself with the aspirations and welfare of ordinary people.
Osumah also criticised the APC leadership for allegedly appointing Governor Fubara as a coordinator for the party’s presidential primaries shortly after his withdrawal from the governorship contest, describing the move as humiliating and politically insensitive.
According to him, the action amounted to “robbing Peter to pay Paul,” insisting that history and posterity would judge those responsible for what he termed the governor’s political humiliation.
He, however, urged Governor Fubara to remain focused on governance and continue delivering democratic dividends to Rivers people within the remainder of his administration.
The political tension in Rivers State has continued to attract national attention following the prolonged rift between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, a crisis that has reshaped alliances within the state’s political landscape and raised concerns over the future of governance and party politics in Rivers ahead of the 2027 general elections.
"We want the world to know that Governor Fubara is loved by the people.The workers are happy with him.His administration has aligned with their problems, yearnings, aspirations and welfare," he said.
