Fresh details have emerged over the political battle ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Rivers State, with reports claiming that President Bola Tinubu has allegedly backed the camp of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in the ongoing power struggle involving Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
According to reports by The Will, the development is linked to the lingering political crisis between Fubara and Wike, who still maintains significant influence over the political structure in Rivers State.
The report claimed that Tinubu directed leaders of the All Progressives Congress in the state to allow Wike take charge of the party structure and supervise the emergence of candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
Sources within the party also alleged that Governor Fubara sought the President’s support for a second term bid but was advised to first reconcile with Wike before any political backing could be considered.
“The President said he should go and talk to Wike about it. If Wike agrees, then he has his full support,” a source was quoted as saying.
The source further claimed that Wike had remained firm in his opposition to Fubara’s re-election ambition, insisting that the governor would not secure another term.
Reports also indicate that Wike has endorsed former House of Representatives Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, as his preferred candidate for the 2027 Rivers governorship race.
Chinda, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC, was reportedly cleared by the party’s screening committee to participate in the governorship primary.
The APC governorship primary in Rivers State is expected to hold on May 21, 2026, with Fubara likely to face competition from Chinda, Dax George-Kelly and former APC governorship candidate, Tonye Cole.
Political observers believe the crisis has gone beyond the governorship contest, evolving into a larger struggle for control of the APC structure in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
