Wike Shifts Burden Of Fubara’s Successor To Alabraba

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, has said the responsibility for selecting the candidate for the 2027 governorship election in Rivers State rests with the Rivers Elders Council led by Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, distancing himself from speculations that he has already endorsed a successor to Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Wike’s position follows weeks of intense political speculation over who he might support for the 2027 governorship race. Several names had been mentioned at different times as possible beneficiaries of his backing, including Boma Iyaye, Felix Obuah, Isaac Kamalu, George Kelly, Kingsley Chinda, and even the incumbent governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The former Rivers State governor has remained a central figure in the political crisis that erupted in the state in October 2023 following the breakdown of his relationship with Fubara, whom he supported during the 2023 election.
With his strong influence in both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, attention had been focused on Wike to indicate the direction of the governorship race. However, in what appears to be a shift from past practices, the minister said he would no longer take sole responsibility for choosing candidates.
Speaking on Monday night during a joint stakeholders’ meeting of the APC and PDP held at his official residence in Life Camp, Abuja, Wike stated that he has not endorsed any aspirant for any elective position in the state.
“I have not endorsed anybody for any position. That responsibility belongs to the elders, and they will meet and decide,” he said.
Wike stressed that no individual should impose candidates on the people of Rivers State, warning aspirants against relying on political imposition.
“No governor can impose a candidate on Rivers State. The mistakes of the past will not be repeated,” he added.
The minister reaffirmed his commitment to supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections, noting that his political alignment at the national level remains unchanged.
“My only commitment for now is to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I have never hidden that,” Wike stated.
He also acknowledged the role of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule in shaping current political developments in the state.
Wike urged stakeholders across party lines to remain united in pursuit of what he described as the collective interest of Rivers State, cautioning against divisions driven by personal ambition.
“Our strength today is not because of money, but because we are united and committed,” he said.
The minister alleged that some external forces were uncomfortable with the emerging political alignment in the state and were making efforts to destabilise it.
“If we were not working together, it would be difficult. People are not happy that we are united, so they will do anything to divide us,” he said.
Wike expressed disappointment with some political appointees whom he accused of turning against the leadership that supported their emergence, describing such actions as a failure of character.
He dismissed reports of secret endorsements, insisting that the only endorsement currently agreed upon by the group is support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
He commended local government chairmen, Rivers elders and party leaders for promoting inclusiveness and coordination, noting that the absence of major disagreements reflected the success of the stakeholders’ engagement.
Meanwhile, other political parties in the state are yet to indicate their strategies for nominating candidates for the 2027 governorship election. In previous election cycles, aspirants who failed to secure tickets from the major parties often sought alternative platforms among smaller parties.