Kingsley Chinda and Engr Mustapha Gubio have emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidates for Rivers and Borno states ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Chinda’s emergence was announced by the APC Governorship Primaries Committee at the party’s state secretariat in Port Harcourt after the conclusion of the primary election.
His emergence followed the withdrawal of other aspirants from the race, including incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara, George-Kelly Alabo and Tonye Cole, who had earlier announced their withdrawal from the APC governorship primaries. The withdrawals left Chinda as the sole aspirant before the primary was concluded.
In Borno State, Gubio emerged through a consensus affirmation held at the former Kashim Ibrahim College of Education in Maiduguri. Governor Babagana Umara Zulum said the outcome reflected the will of God and thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for creating an enabling environment for a rancour-free process.
“What we saw today is the will of Almighty Allah. Allah gives power to whom He wills,” Zulum said.
Shettima, who attended the affirmation, urged aggrieved aspirants to accept the result and work for party unity.
“There is no victor, no vanquished in this contest. I implore those who lost out to sheath their swords for the good of our people,” he said.
The affirmation was conducted by the state primary election committee chairman, Chief Emma Eneukwu.
In his acceptance speech, Gubio pledged to consolidate Zulum’s achievements and focus on security, resettlement of displaced persons, education, agriculture and infrastructure.
He promised to strengthen healthcare, expand youth and women empowerment programmes, and maintain a zero-tolerance stance on corruption and political thuggery.
“I am grateful to President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima and Governor Zulum for their leadership and support. If given the mandate, we will pursue these responsibilities with renewed vigour,” Gubio said.
The event was attended by former governors Ali Modu Sheriff and Maina Ma’aji Lawan, APC Deputy National Chairman (North) Ali Dalori, State Chairman Bello Ayuba, Senators Mohammed Tahir Monguno and Kaka Shehu Lawan, and other party leaders.
Party officials described the process as peaceful and consensus-driven, reinforcing APC cohesion in both states ahead of 2027.
