Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has thrown his full political weight behind the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Rivers State, declaring that Honourable Kingsley Ogundu Chinda will be the next governor of the state. Wike made this declaration on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, during a warm reception organized in his honour by Ogbakor Ikwerre, the socio-cultural organisation of the Ikwerre ethnic nationality, held at Obiri-Ehie in Rivers State.
In a move that signals a major political realignment ahead of the 2027 elections, the former Rivers State governor used the occasion to publicly identify Chinda as his preferred successor to take over from Governor Siminalayi Fubara. While acknowledging the presence of dignitaries at the gathering, Wike introduced Chinda as the "former Minority Leader in the House of Representatives and, by the grace of God, the next governor of Rivers State."
Chinda, a long-time political ally of Wike, emerged as the APC governorship candidate after winning the party's primary election in May 2026. The lawmaker, who represents Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, was the sole contestant in the primary and was declared the winner after polling 268,497 votes. His emergence has been widely regarded as a victory for Wike's political camp, following the withdrawal of Governor Fubara from the governorship race.
Wike's declaration comes barely a day after the APC completed its governorship ticket with the selection of Major Jack, the Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, as Chinda's running mate for the 2027 election. The choice of Jack, who defected to the APC in December 2025 alongside the Speaker of the House and several other lawmakers, is seen as an effort to achieve geographical balance on the ticket and strengthen the party's grassroots support, particularly in the riverine areas of the state.
The political dynamics in Rivers State have been shaped by the protracted power struggle between Wike and Governor Fubara, which culminated in attempts to impeach the governor. According to Wike, an agreement was reached that the impeachment proceedings would be dropped on the condition that Fubara would not seek re-election in 2027. This paved the way for Chinda's emergence as the anointed successor.
Wike's declaration has drawn attention from political observers, as it cements the former governor's influence over the state's political structure even after leaving office. While Chinda has been widely regarded as Wike's preferred successor, the FCT minister's public anointment of the lawmaker as the "next governor" signals a consolidation of political forces aligned with Wike's camp. If elected in 2027, Chinda will succeed Governor Fubara, who has decided not to seek a second term in office, marking a significant transition in Rivers State's political landscape.
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