Supporters of the governor have also expressed disappointment, insisting that Fubara still commands significant grassroots support across the state.
What next for Rivers politics?
Although Fubara has pledged support for the eventual APC candidate, political observers believe his withdrawal may not completely end the rivalry between competing political blocs in Rivers State.
Questions also remain regarding the governor’s future political role, the fate of his loyalists within the APC, and whether lasting peace can truly be achieved in the state’s turbulent political environment.
For now, his withdrawal appears to have eased immediate tensions ahead of the APC primaries, but analysts insist the broader struggle for political influence in Rivers State is far from over.