Wike Endorses George-Kelly for Rivers Governor in 2027, Deepens Rift with Fubara

Key facts

• Nyesom Wike endorsed Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly as his preferred Rivers State governorship candidate for 2027.
• George-Kelly is expected to contest under the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform.
• The endorsement followed a closed-door meeting in Port Harcourt on Monday with ex-militant leaders Asari Dokubo and Ateke Tom.
• George-Kelly served as Rivers State Commissioner for Works and is a known Wike loyalist.
• Governor Siminalayi Fubara has distanced himself from Wike since taking office, triggering a power struggle.
• President Bola Tinubu’s peace efforts between Wike and Fubara have yielded limited results.
• The political crisis has split the State House of Assembly and local government leadership.

A Strategic Endorsement in Port Harcourt

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has chosen Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly as his preferred candidate for the Rivers State governorship in the 2027 elections, according to sources who attended a closed-door meeting in Port Harcourt on Monday. The meeting included ex-militant leaders Asari Dokubo and Ateke Tom, underscoring the high-level consultations behind the decision. George-Kelly, a former Rivers State Commissioner for Works, is expected to run under the banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC). His selection marks a calculated effort by Wike to reassert his dominance over the state’s political landscape, even as he serves at the federal level.

The Wike-Fubara Rift Deepens

The endorsement comes against the backdrop of a bitter power struggle between Wike and his estranged political godson, Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Since assuming office, Fubara has gradually distanced himself from Wike’s influence, leading to deep divisions within the state’s political structure. The rift has triggered confrontations over control of the State House of Assembly and local government leadership, with both camps vying for supremacy. President Bola Tinubu’s attempts to broker peace have so far yielded limited results, as tensions continue to simmer.

Wike’s Political Calculus for 2027

A source who witnessed the meeting described Wike’s endorsement as a strategic move to shape Rivers State’s political future ahead of the next election cycle. “Wike’s endorsement of George is a strategic move to reassert control and shape the political future of Rivers State ahead of 2027,” the source said. George-Kelly, a seasoned political figure and loyalist within Wike’s network, previously served as Commissioner for Works. His candidacy is seen as a vehicle to maintain Wike’s political machinery in the state, even as the minister focuses on his federal role.

No Official Confirmation Yet

As of press time, there has been no official confirmation from Wike’s camp or the APC regarding the endorsement. The lack of a formal announcement leaves room for further political maneuvering in the coming months. The development adds a new layer to the ongoing crisis in Rivers State, where alignments and realignments have become the norm. Both the Wike and Fubara camps are expected to intensify their efforts to consolidate support ahead of 2027.

Broader Implications for Rivers State Politics

The endorsement signals that Wike is unwilling to cede ground in his home state despite his position in Abuja. The choice of George-Kelly, a figure with executive experience and loyalty, suggests a long-term plan to retain influence over governance structures. The crisis has already fractured the state’s political institutions, and Wike’s move may further polarize the landscape. With Tinubu’s peace efforts stalled, the stage is set for a protracted battle for control of Rivers State.

The bottom line

• Wike endorsed George-Kelly for Rivers governor in 2027, aiming to reassert control amid a rift with Fubara.
• The endorsement followed a meeting with ex-militant leaders, indicating broad consultations.
• George-Kelly is a former commissioner and Wike loyalist, expected to run on the APC ticket.
• The Wike-Fubara crisis has split the state’s political institutions, with Tinubu’s mediation failing.
• No official confirmation has been made, leaving room for further political shifts.