Wike has picked Fubara’s replacement ahead of Rivers Governorship election.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has reportedly endorsed former Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly, as his preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship election in Rivers State.
Sources disclosed that George is expected to contest the position under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in what is seen as a significant political development ahead of the next election cycle.
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The endorsement reportedly followed a closed-door meeting held in Port Harcourt on Monday, where Wike met with key political stakeholders to assess the evolving political dynamics in the state and strategise for 2027.
Those said to have attended the meeting include prominent ex-militant leaders such as Asari Dokubo and Ateke Tom, highlighting the level of consultation preceding the decision.
George, a longtime ally of Wike, previously served as Commissioner for Works in Rivers State and is widely regarded as a loyal figure within the former governor’s political structure.
Insiders say the move is part of a broader strategy by Wike to retain influence in Rivers State politics despite his current federal appointment.
The development comes amid a prolonged political crisis in the state, driven by a deepening rift between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Wike.
Since assuming office, Fubara has increasingly distanced himself from Wike’s political structure, triggering divisions across the state’s political institutions, including the State House of Assembly and local government councils.
The fallout has led to ongoing political tensions, shifting alliances, and a battle for control of party structures within the state.
Efforts by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to mediate between both camps have so far produced limited results, as the crisis continues to linger.
A source familiar with the meeting described Wike’s reported endorsement of George as a calculated move aimed at shaping the political landscape in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official confirmation from Wike or his associates regarding the endorsement.
