The race for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship ticket in Rivers State appears to be tilting in favour of frontline aspirant Blessing Fubara, as results so far collated from the party’s primary election reportedly place him ahead in 15 of the state’s 23 local government areas.
Four aspirants are contesting for the party’s ticket ahead of the 2027 governorship election — Blessing Fubara, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, Fafahdan Princewill, and Mike Willy.
A coalition of election observers drawn from the Obidient and Kwankwasiyya movements said on Saturday that the primary election has been largely peaceful across Rivers State, with collation of results still ongoing.
In a statement jointly signed by George Brown, Hon. Victor F. Heart and Shriff Farouk for the Obidient Movement, alongside Eric Koko, Ibiwari George Green and Mohammed Abdullahi for the Kwankwasiyya Movement, the observers disclosed that preliminary figures indicate a commanding lead for Fubara in 15 local government areas.
The coalition explained that it deployed monitors across the country to observe the conduct of the NDC primaries and assess compliance with electoral guidelines, transparency and fairness.
According to the group, the Rivers exercise has so far been peaceful, orderly and commendable, reflecting the commitment of party members to a credible internal democratic process.
The observers, however, cautioned aspirants and their supporters against making premature victory declarations or releasing unofficial results while collation remains ongoing.
They stressed that only the party’s designated election committee has the authority to announce the final outcome of the primary election.
“The results are still being collated and no individual, group or aspirant is empowered to declare himself winner,” the statement said.
“Based on figures received from 15 local government areas, Blessing Fubara has established a significant lead over other contenders. However, the final outcome can only be announced by the party’s election committee after the completion of the collation process.”
The group expressed concern over what it described as growing attempts by some aspirants and their supporters to influence public perception through unofficial declarations on social media.
It warned that such actions could undermine the credibility of the exercise and create unnecessary tension among party faithful.
The coalition urged members of the public and NDC supporters to disregard any result not officially released by the party.
The observers also commended the large turnout of party members across the state, describing it as evidence of growing grassroots enthusiasm for the NDC ahead of the 2027 general election.
They further warned members of the primary election committee in Rivers and other states against compromising the integrity of the process through external influence or pressure from desperate aspirants.
According to the group, the credibility of the NDC’s internal democratic process depends on the transparency and fairness of those entrusted with conducting the primaries.
“They must ensure that every vote cast by committed party members counts. The NDC has positioned itself as a credible alternative, and its election officials must uphold the highest standards of integrity and transparency,” the statement added.
As collation continues, attention remains focused on the official declaration expected from the party’s election committee, which will determine who emerges as the NDC governorship candidate for Rivers State in the 2027 election.