Wike Accuses Rivers Governor of Betraying Peace Deal

Key facts

• Nyesom Wike, FCT Minister, denies endorsing any candidate for the 2027 Rivers State governorship election.
• Wike accuses Governor Siminalayi Fubara of violating an agreement made before President Bola Tinubu.
• The agreement reportedly prevented the impeachment of Governor Fubara.
• President Tinubu intervened in March 2025, leading to a temporary suspension of state officials.
• A political rift persists between Wike and Fubara over control of political structures in Rivers State.
• Wike stated that a coalition of PDP and APC members in Rivers State will decide on a candidate.
• Federal lawmaker Okey Chinda is reportedly seeking a PDP governorship nomination form.

Wike Denies Endorsement Amidst Escalating Feud

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has publicly stated that he has not endorsed any individual for the 2027 governorship election in Rivers State. Speaking in Abuja during a monthly media chat on Wednesday, Wike asserted that such an endorsement could only occur after a joint coalition of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) members in the state convenes. "I have not (endorsed anybody) and I cannot endorse somebody until the joint coalition meets," Wike declared. He described the coalition as a political strategy involving loyalists from both major parties, united by a common objective to confront a significant political force. This statement comes amid a prolonged and acrimonious political rift between Wike and the current Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, whom Wike had previously supported to succeed him. The dispute centers on the control of political structures within the oil-rich South-South state.

Accusations of Betrayal Over Impeachment Deal

At the heart of the escalating tension, Wike directly accused Governor Fubara of reneging on a critical agreement. This accord, Wike claims, was reached before President Bola Tinubu and was instrumental in preventing Fubara's impeachment by the Rivers State House of Assembly. "The president intervened in the impeachment palava and said ‘hold on, let’s have peace’. And the governor said ‘I am ready for peace, I’m no longer interested in this, I will not do this’," Wike recounted. He highlighted that the Assembly subsequently withdrew the impeachment proceedings following the President's intervention and the Governor's purported commitment to peace. "Now, having withdrawn the impeachment, you are now too smart on what you agreed before the president," Wike stated, expressing his disappointment with Fubara's subsequent actions. This alleged breach of trust has deepened the political chasm between the two figures.

Presidential Intervention and State Administrator Appointment

The political crisis in Rivers State reached a critical juncture in March 2025, prompting direct intervention from President Bola Tinubu. The prolonged impasse, which saw lawmakers loyal to Wike, led by Martin Amaewhule, attempt to impeach Governor Fubara, forced the President's hand. In response to the escalating conflict, President Tinubu took the extraordinary step of suspending Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. This measure was implemented to restore order and de-escalate the volatile political situation. Following the suspension, the President appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator of the state. This interim measure was intended to provide stable governance during the period of emergency rule. However, after six months, the President lifted the emergency rule, allowing the suspended officials to resume their duties.

Coalition Politics and Gubernatorial Aspirations

Addressing the political landscape for the 2027 elections, Wike reiterated that the decision on who to support rests with the 'rainbow coalition' he has helped forge. This coalition comprises influential figures from both the PDP and the APC within Rivers State. federal lawmaker Okey Chinda has obtained forms to contest the governorship under the PDP. While not confirming or denying Chinda's ambition, Wike maintained that the PDP in Rivers State would indeed participate in the upcoming election. He also noted that Dax George-Kelly, reportedly seeking an APC nomination form, is a member of this broader coalition. "We have loyalists in PDP, we have loyalists in APC. I have never hidden the fact that everywhere you say rainbow coalition. We have put ourselves together and it is a political strategy because we have somebody we will fight," Wike explained, emphasizing the strategic nature of this alliance.

Underlying Power Struggle

The persistent conflict between Wike and Fubara is fundamentally a contest for political dominance in Rivers State. Wike, a former governor and a powerful figure within the PDP, seeks to maintain his influence over the state's political machinery. Governor Fubara, on the other hand, appears determined to assert his independence and chart his own political course, free from the perceived control of his predecessor. This struggle for autonomy has manifested in a series of political maneuvers and counter-maneuvers, including the impeachment attempts and the subsequent presidential intervention. The formation of the 'rainbow coalition' by Wike suggests a strategic realignment aimed at consolidating power and potentially influencing the outcome of future elections, whether at the state or federal level. The situation remains fluid, with the political future of Rivers State hanging in the balance.

The bottom line

• Minister Nyesom Wike has denied endorsing any candidate for the 2027 Rivers State governorship election.
• Wike accuses Governor Siminalayi Fubara of breaching a peace agreement brokered by President Tinubu.
• The dispute stems from control over political structures in Rivers State and escalated with impeachment attempts.
• President Tinubu intervened in March 2025, leading to a temporary suspension of state officials and the appointment of a sole administrator.
• Wike is orchestrating a coalition of PDP and APC members in Rivers State to collectively decide on future political support.
• Governor Fubara is reportedly eyeing the APC ticket for the 2027 election, a move that could further complicate the political landscape.