Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
In a significant escalation of the long-running political conflict in the oil-rich state, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has officially endorsed former Works Commissioner Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly as his preferred candidate for the Rivers State governorship election in 2027. The endorsement, which was reportedly finalized during a high-level closed-door meeting in Port Harcourt on Sunday, May 3, is considered a direct challenge to the incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who is widely expected to seek re-election under the All Progressives Congress (APC). Sources close to the meeting confirmed that Wike has directed his powerful political structure to back George over the current governor, whom he brought to power but has now turned into a fierce political rival.
The gathering in Port Harcourt was described as a monumental session aimed at reviewing the state’s political trajectory and consolidating Wike's influence across all local governments. According to Daily Post insiders, the meeting also served as a platform to strategize on how to leverage federal resources and grassroots networks to neutralize Fubara’s growing independent base. A major highlight of the session was the attendance of famous ex-militant leaders, including Asari Dokubo and Ateke Tom. Their presence underscores the seriousness of Wike's intent to deploy security and mobilization operatives beyond the regular political party apparatus. The source described their involvement as part of a “broad-based consultation” to ensure that the political machinery is battle-ready for the 2027 showdown, which analysts predict will be the most violent and fiercely contested in the state's history.
Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly is not a newcomer to Wike’s cabinet of loyalists. He was a quiet but powerful figure in Wike’s administration, trusted with the Works portfolio, one of the most sensitive finance and infrastructure positions. George is an engineer (PhD in Construction Management) and a close ally of the FCT Minister. His appointment is seen as a "safe pair of hands" for Wike, as an insider was quoted as saying, "George was considered the most suitable candidate to lead the structure into the 2027 election".
The relationship between Wike and Fubara, once a godfather-godson partnership, sits at the heart of the unfolding crisis. The two fell out shortly after Fubara assumed office in 2023, as Fubara began to distance himself from his predecessor’s shadow and carve out an independent political identity. The power struggle has since spilled into all arms of the state, leading to a divided House of Assembly, parallel local government leadership, and reports of a breakdown in governance structures.
The endorsement of George presents a direct question: Where does Governor Fubara go from here? In a stark sign that the political status quo has collapsed, Fubara loyalists have already defied Wike by obtaining APC nomination forms for him. Furthermore, the national leadership of the APC has not made any official move to welcome Fubara fully into the fold even while he is in office. Political observers argue that this endorsement effectively signals that Wike will do everything in his power to deny the governor a second term ticket.
This calculated move is widely seen as Wike’s attempt to reassert absolute dominance over Nigeria’s South-South geopolitical zone. Analysts at The Lagos Times describe it as a “third term by proxy” and a masterstroke of political engineering. Since leaving office as governor and becoming a member of President Tinubu’s cabinet, Wike has declared Rivers a "Rainbow Coalition" state—a political family that transcends party platforms, using the APC and PDP to back candidates loyal to his camp.
As the date for the official APC primary draws nearer, analysts warn that the state’s political temperature is rising dangerously. There are also tensions over the fact that while Wike pushes George, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, a Wike loyalist, is also in the race to secure the PDP ticket. This suggests the FCT Minister is playing all sides to ensure Fubara has no platform to stand on. For now, the governor has remained publicly silent on the endorsement, but his camp insists the "voice of the people" will prevail. Wike, however, remains convinced that whoever controls the local government Chairmen and the security infrastructure controls the state. With Monday’s endorsement, Wike has laid his cards on the table: George must go to Brick House in 2027, or Wike will tear the house down trying.
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