The governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Rivers State, Blessing Fubara, has declared that he has no political godfather backing his ambition, insisting that his only source of support is God.
Fubara made the statement during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time program on Friday night, where he addressed growing public interest in his entry into the 2027 Rivers governorship race and the circumstances surrounding his political emergence.
The NDC candidate also sought to distance himself from suggestions that his ambition is tied to that of his elder brother, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, saying they hold different political beliefs and should not be viewed as pursuing the same agenda.
“I don’t have a godfather but I have God the Father,” he said.
“You would also agree with me that if my ambition is determined by the grounds you are mentioning, it would mean I have no clear vision or focus for what I am working toward.”
His comments come amid intense political debate in Rivers State, where the governorship contest has already begun attracting national attention due to the state’s recent political crisis and the involvement of some of the country’s most influential political figures.
Blessing Fubara dismissed claims that he is merely acting as a placeholder or front for another political interest.
He argued that such narratives undermine his personal convictions and the ideas he hopes to bring to governance if elected.
“My brother, Nigerians, and indeed the wider world saw what happened between him and his party,” he said.
“We have different political ideologies and individual perspectives.”
According to him, Rivers people are currently facing difficult political circumstances, and what should matter most is finding solutions that will move the state forward rather than promoting speculations and political gossip.
“It’s a trying moment for us in Rivers State and there are all sorts of narratives,” he stated.
“They come with different narratives and try to set up a perspective for the people to run with, but we are focused with our eyes on the ball that the soul of Rivers State must be rescued.”
Blessing Fubara formally entered the 2027 governorship race in May 2026 after obtaining the NDC’s expression of interest and nomination forms.
His declaration immediately generated widespread reactions, particularly because of his family relationship with Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Many political observers questioned whether his candidacy represented an extension of the governor’s political structure, especially given the turbulent political environment in the oil-rich state.
However, the NDC candidate insisted that he should be assessed on the basis of his own vision, ideas and programs rather than assumptions built around family ties.
The political situation in Rivers State has remained one of the most closely watched developments in Nigeria since the fallout between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
Wike, who currently serves as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), played a major role in Fubara’s emergence as governor in 2023. Their relationship later deteriorated over disagreements regarding political control and the direction of governance in the state.
What began as internal party disagreements eventually developed into a full-scale political crisis.
The conflict led to repeated attempts by lawmakers loyal to opposing camps to assert control over the Rivers State House of Assembly.
There were impeachment threats against Governor Fubara, parallel legislative activities by rival factions and a series of court cases aimed at resolving disputes over the legitimacy of political decisions taken by both sides.
The crisis created uncertainty within the state’s political landscape and attracted the attention of Nigerians concerned about stability in one of the country’s major economic centres.
In recent months, several efforts have been made by stakeholders and elders to encourage reconciliation between the camps.
Despite these interventions, political alignments in the state continue to evolve ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara himself recently withdrew from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries, a development that further fuelled speculations about the future direction of politics in Rivers State.
Days later, Blessing Fubara announced his governorship ambition under the platform of the NDC.
His emergence has added a fresh dimension to the unfolding political calculations ahead of 2027.
As Nigeria’s leading oil-producing state, Rivers occupies a critical position in the nation’s economy. The outcome of its governorship elections often attracts national interest because of the state’s economic significance and its history of intense political contests.
For Blessing Fubara, however, the immediate task appears to be convincing Rivers voters that his ambition is independent and driven by a clear agenda.
By openly rejecting the godfather label, he has attempted to project himself as a candidate guided by personal conviction rather than political sponsorship.
Whether Rivers people embrace that message remains to be seen as political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections.
For now, the NDC governorship candidate says his focus is not on the narratives surrounding his family name or alleged political backers, but on what he describes as the mission to rescue the soul of Rivers State and offer a new direction for its people.