Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
ABUJA/PORT HARCOURT, NIGERIA — The political tensions in Rivers State have intensified ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, asserting that Governor Siminalayi Fubara will not secure a second term in office — a declaration that has added fuel to an already fractious political landscape.
During public engagements in Rivers State last week, Wike bluntly told audiences that supporting President Bola Tinubu and rallying pro-Tinubu slogans would not guarantee Fubara’s political success in 2027. The FCT minister’s remarks, widely interpreted as directed at the governor, came amid growing speculation about political maneuvering, campaign financing and leadership disputes within both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Speaking during a visit to Enohia Local Government Area, Wike dismissed the idea that mere allegiance to the president or the mobilization of financial resources — often referred to in political circles as a “war chest” — could secure Fubara another term. He emphasised that political influence and grassroots organisation remain far more important than slogans or superficial displays of loyalty.
The remarks underscore a broader narrative in Rivers State, where political allegiances have shifted and public confidence has been tested by a prolonged internal crisis. The rift between Wike — a former governor of Rivers State and a powerful PDP stalwart — and his successor Fubara has been one of the most prominent power struggles in Nigeria’s South-South region since Fubara took office in 2023. Although the two once maintained a political alliance, their relationship has deteriorated over disagreements about party leadership, governance priorities, and the direction of Rivers politics.
Wike’s latest intervention comes amid reports that he and his supporters are prepared not to back Fubara’s re-election bid. At meetings held with party loyalists in Etche and Omuma Local Government Areas, the minister stressed that his political network retains the strength to deliver electoral victories — a veiled reference to the capacity to mobilise votes and influence outcomes.
The comments have also reignited discussion about a peace agreement once brokered between the two leaders by President Tinubu in mid-2025. That deal, aimed at ending a protracted crisis that once led to a state of emergency and the suspension of Rivers State’s political institutions, has increasingly become a focal point of contention. Recent statements from Wike suggest the governor has breached the terms of that agreement, and he has vowed to make the details public in due course.
Political analysts say Wike’s strategy appears designed to position himself and his loyalists as key arbiters of political direction in Rivers State, even as Fubara has sought to carve out an independent base of support. Fubara’s shock defection to the APC late last year was seen by some as a bid to reposition himself ahead of 2027. However, Wike has been dismissive of that move, asserting that the governor lacked a political structure within the new party and that the defection came too late to build meaningful grassroots momentum.
Wike’s critics, however, have seized on what they view as overreach. Some opponents argue that a federal minister seeking to influence the electoral fortunes of a sitting governor runs contrary to democratic norms and intra-party fairness. They maintain that political competition should centre on performance and public appeal, rather than the influence of powerful political godfathers or behind-the-scenes manoeuvring. Observers also note that while Wike has cast doubt on Fubara’s chances, there has been no formal declaration from electoral authorities about primary outcomes or party endorsements for 2027.
Despite Wike’s public scepticism, other voices within Rivers State politics have expressed support for Fubara’s leadership. In some local communities, including sections of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, grassroots endorsements have been signalled for the governor’s bid for a second term, reflecting a more complex mosaic of political sentiment on the ground.
The debate over whether financial resources — colloquially dubbed “war chests” — can sway electoral outcomes speaks to a larger concern across Nigeria’s political landscape, where campaign financing, political alliances and the influence of federal power brokers often intersect. Wike’s comments suggest he is banking on popular mobilisation and political loyalty forged through past elections, rather than the deployment of funds or superficial displays of party allegiance, as decisive factors.
As the countdown to the 2027 general elections continues, the rivalry between Wike and Fubara is expected to remain a central subplot in Rivers State’s politics. Both leaders are widely recognised for their political acumen and capacity to shape regional outcomes, meaning their contest could influence broader dynamics within the PDP, APC and the South-South geopolitical block. Moreover, unresolved grievances and competing narratives about leadership integrity and public trust may continue to colour the public discourse.
The implications of this intra-party tension extend beyond Rivers State. Political watchers believe the state’s electoral trajectory will impact national calculations, especially considering its strategic importance as an oil-rich hub with significant voter influence. Should Fubara’s bid falter, Wike’s influence could be framed as a decisive force in shaping future political alignments. Conversely, a successful re-election by Fubara, bolstered by local endorsements and strategic alliances, could underscore the changing currents of power among Nigeria’s political elite.
As election preparations ramp up, the evolving dynamic between Wike and Fubara offers a clear illustration of how internal party struggles and leadership rivalries continue to define Nigerian politics in the run-up to 2027.
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