“I Will Decide and Announce Who Becomes the Next Rivers Governor” – Wike
“I Will Decide and Announce Who Becomes the Next Rivers Governor” – Wike
The political temperature in Rivers State continues to rise as the 2027 governorship election draws closer. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Rivers State Governor, **Nyesom Wike**, has made a bold declaration that has sent shockwaves through the state’s political landscape.
In recent public appearances and interactions with supporters across various local government areas, Wike has asserted his influence over the state’s future leadership, stating unequivocally that he will personally decide and announce who succeeds the incumbent governor, **Siminalayi Fubara**, in 2027.
### A Familiar Playbook from the Political Godfather
Wike’s statement echoes his well-established reputation as a dominant force in Rivers politics. In 2023, he handpicked and successfully installed Fubara as governor under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket, following a tightly controlled primary process. That move was widely seen as an effort to maintain indirect control over the state’s vast resources and political machinery even after leaving office.
However, the once-cordial relationship between mentor and protégé quickly deteriorated into one of Nigeria’s most intense political rivalries. Disputes over appointments, control of party structures, and access to state resources led to open confrontation, culminating in a six-month state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu in early 2025, during which Fubara was suspended.
Although Fubara was reinstated in September 2025 and later defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the underlying power struggle has only intensified. Wike has repeatedly described the 2023 choice of Fubara as a “mistake” that will not be repeated.
### Recent Statements Signal Determination
During visits to areas such as Khana, Okrika, Ahoada, and Ogu/Bolo in late 2025 and early 2026, Wike has sharpened his rhetoric:
– He warned residents against repeating “past political mistakes,” asking crowds if they had received “thank you” from the current administration — to which they reportedly chorused “No!”
– He declared that his camp would “correct the mistake” of 2023 and ensure a more reliable successor takes charge.
– In one particularly pointed remark, he emphasized that he would back a candidate he could “rely on and sleep with his eyes closed,” implying direct personal endorsement and selection.
These comments have been widely interpreted as Wike positioning himself as the ultimate decider of Rivers State’s next governor, regardless of party platforms or incumbent advantages.
### The High-Stakes Battle for 2027
The contest for who “delivers” the next governor in Rivers State has become a major talking point. Analysts identify four key factors that will likely shape the outcome:
1. **President Tinubu’s body language** and federal backing
2. **The popular vote** from Rivers electorate
3. **Fubara’s standing** within the APC national leadership
4. **Wike’s formidable political structure**, which still controls many local government and ward-level networks
Despite Fubara’s control of state resources and machinery — and reports of a substantial financial war chest — Wike has dismissed money as the deciding factor, insisting that loyalty, structure, and grassroots mobilization will prevail.
### Reactions and Implications
The declaration has drawn sharp responses. Some political figures and commentators have criticized it as undemocratic and overreaching, with one prominent voice declaring, “There is only one governor in Rivers State, whether you like it or not.”
Others see Wike’s assertiveness as a continuation of godfatherism in Nigerian politics — a pattern where former leaders attempt to retain influence long after leaving office.
As Rivers State enters what many describe as a defining phase ahead of 2027, all eyes remain on Wike’s next moves, Fubara’s counter-strategy, and how national APC dynamics will influence the local battle. One thing appears certain: the battle for the soul of Rivers politics is far from over, and Nyesom Wike intends to play a decisive role in determining its outcome
