Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared that he will determine and announce who becomes the next governor of Rivers State ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Wike made the assertion during recent public engagements with supporters across several local government areas in the state, including Khana, Okrika, Ahoada, and Ogu/Bolo. According to him, the choice of successor to incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara will be carefully made to avoid what he described as past political errors.
The former governor, who remains a major power broker in Rivers politics, said he would support a candidate he can trust completely, stressing that loyalty and political structure, rather than money, would determine the outcome of the next election.
Rift Between Wike and Fubara
Wike’s comments come against the backdrop of a prolonged political rift between him and Governor Fubara. In 2023, Wike played a key role in Fubara’s emergence as governor under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). However, relations between the two later broke down over disagreements relating to appointments, party control, and governance.
The crisis escalated in early 2025 when President Bola Tinubu declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State, leading to Fubara’s suspension. The governor was reinstated in September 2025 and subsequently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Since then, Wike has publicly stated that supporting Fubara in 2023 was a mistake and has vowed not to repeat it.
Political Calculations Ahead of 2027
Political observers say the 2027 Rivers governorship contest will be influenced by several factors, including federal support, voter sentiment in the state, Governor Fubara’s standing within the APC, and Wike’s extensive political structure at the grassroots level.
While Fubara controls state resources and the advantages of incumbency, Wike has downplayed the role of financial strength, maintaining that effective political organization and grassroots loyalty will be decisive.
Mixed Reactions
Wike’s declaration has attracted mixed reactions from political stakeholders and commentators. Critics have described the statement as undemocratic and reflective of political godfatherism, while supporters argue that his influence remains a reality in Rivers State politics.
As preparations for the 2027 election gradually take shape, attention remains focused on the evolving power struggle between Wike and Fubara and how national political dynamics may affect the contest in Rivers State.
