25 Groups Move to Refund ₦50m Nomination Fee for Fubara, Cite Strong Performance

No fewer than twenty-five groups have come together to refund the ₦50 million paid for the purchase of nomination forms for Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The nomination and expression of interest forms had earlier been obtained for the governor—who is seeking a second term on the APC platform—by party elders and stakeholders.
Speaking to journalists on Friday, Member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante, described the initiative as a collective effort by Rivers stakeholders, undertaken in the overall interest of the state.
Despite the earlier purchase of the forms, the groups—operating under the Coalition of Greater Nigeria Groups (GNG)—insisted on refunding the amount to the governor. They explained that they had scheduled May 2 for a grand rally to purchase the forms themselves but were preempted by APC stakeholders.
The coalition, which comprises pro-democracy and good governance advocates, human rights activists, the Nigeria Young Professionals Group, APC support groups, and other civil society organisations across Rivers State and the country, said the move was meant to encourage the governor to sustain his performance, noting that he enjoys widespread support both within Nigeria and abroad.
“Delegates from our various groups had arrived in Abuja ahead of the planned purchase of nomination forms for Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Saturday. However, Rivers stakeholders obtained the forms before us,” said the coalition’s spokesman, Comrade Jinadu Suleiman, while addressing journalists in Abuja on Saturday morning.
“Nevertheless, we will proceed to refund the governor. We must be part of this historic moment. The governor should know that Nigerians at home and in the diaspora support and appreciate him, not just in Rivers State.”
The coalition maintained that the governor’s performance, despite distractions and intimidation, remains his strongest selling point and expressed confidence that he would win convincingly in the election.
They added that the gesture reflects their confidence in his leadership and desire for continuity, noting that his achievements in less than three years surpass those of many governors nationwide. They also expressed optimism that he would secure reelection regardless of party affiliation.
The group highlighted several achievements of the administration, including prompt payment of salaries and pensions, prioritisation of workers’ welfare, and renovation of the long-abandoned State Secretariat Complex. Other projects listed include the commissioning of Government House Staff Quarters, construction of the RIVTAF 20,000 Housing Estate, and the launch of a ₦4 billion SME loan scheme in partnership with the Bank of Industry.
They further cited improvements in security, including the procurement of a surveillance helicopter for the Nigerian Air Force, donation of 100 utility vehicles to the Nigeria Police Force, a fire truck to NAAN, 12 security trucks to the NSCDC, six gunboats, and construction of personnel quarters for the Nigerian Navy.
Infrastructure projects credited to the administration include the 10.9km Aleto–Eteo–Ebubu Road, Emohua–Tema Road, Egbeda internal roads, Trans-Kalabari Road, Port Harcourt Ring Road, the 33.5km Elele–Umudioga–Egbeda–Ubimini–Ikiri–Omoku dual carriageway, the 5km Okania–Ogbogoro Road, and the Eberi–Umuakali–Omodu Road linking Rivers and Abia States, among others.
“These achievements convinced us that if a governor who faced significant distractions could accomplish this within two years and a few months, then he deserves another term to do even more,” the coalition stated.