The peace accord reached between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, might collapse as the 2027 general elections draw nearer.
According to The Vanguard, both politicians appeared to have returned to political rivalry over the governorship succession in the state, in line with the terms of the earlier peace deal reportedly supervised by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. One of the key provisions of the agreement, it was stated, was that Fubara should not seek re-election in 2027 and should join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
It was further reported that Fubara had, in December, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, a move widely seen as a strategy to avoid persistent impeachment threats from the state House of Assembly.
However, tension reportedly resurfaced when a group of elders led by Hon. Awaji Inombek Abiante, a member of the House of Representatives and ally of the governor, purchased governorship forms for Fubara, sparking controversy over a possible breach of the earlier agreement with Wike.
In response, allies of Wike were said to have countered the move, as Dr. Dax George Kelly, a former Commissioner for Works, and Hon. Kingsley Chinda, a member of the House of Representatives, also obtained governorship forms on APC and PDP platforms respectively.
It was also reported that Architect Tonye Patrick Cole of the APC, and an ally of former Transportation Minister and African Democratic Congress chieftain Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, had declared his intention to contest the governorship again, insisting he would not step down for any candidate. Cole had previously contested in 2019 and 2023 but was unsuccessful.
While some political observers reportedly described Cole as lacking a strong political structure in Rivers State, they noted that Kelly and Chinda, believed to have strong backing from Wike’s political network, could pose significant challenges to Fubara’s ambition.
Kelly was also said to share the same riverine background as Fubara, potentially influencing dynamics within the APC, while Chinda, an Ikwerre from the same ethnic group as Wike, was considered a strong contender within the PDP fold.
Meanwhile, Governor Fubara is already taking steps to control the Rivers State House of Assembly. It was reported that Fubara had endorsed 32 aspirants who purchased forms to contest seats in the State House of Assembly, with many of them described as his loyalists, including former Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo.
A supporter of the governor was quoted as saying: “Fubara bought 32 forms for his foot soldiers to contest all the seats in the Assembly”…….See More
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