2027: Fubara will not return as Governor – Wike

 The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, will not return for a second term when his tenure expires in 2027.

Wike made this assertion on Friday during a “thank you” tour of the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni (ONELGA) Local Government Area, an event aired live on Lagos-based TVC.

Governor Fubara, who emerged as Rivers governor in 2023 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), officially switched allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December last year.

Having assumed office on May 29, 2023, Fubara’s current term is scheduled to end on May 29, 2027. While there are strong indications that he may seek another term, the governor has not formally announced his intention.

Addressing supporters at the ONELGA event, Wike insisted he would personally block any move by Fubara to secure a second term. He accused the governor of violating the conditions of the peace agreement facilitated by President Bola Tinubu during the height of the Rivers political crisis.

According to Wike, financial influence would not resolve the situation, urging Fubara to be transparent with Rivers residents about the terms agreed with the president. He warned that while the governor may have survived the first political resolution, a repeat would not succeed.

The FCT minister also maintained that he remains the undisputed political leader in Rivers State, dismissing claims to the contrary.

He further criticized Governor Fubara’s leadership style, alleging that the governor has failed to sustain cordial relationships with key stakeholders, including local government chairmen, state lawmakers, and federal legislators.

Wike also reacted sharply to Fubara’s New Year remarks in which the governor dismissed Wike’s comments and actions as mere “political noise.”

In response, Wike used a metaphor to suggest that he played a decisive role in Fubara’s rise to power and should not be underestimated.

Reaffirming his loyalty to President Bola Tinubu, Wike pledged unwavering support for the president and the Renewed Hope agenda.

Wike also took a swipe at politicians who have recently aligned themselves with Governor Fubara after previously backing Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential election.

During a New Year banquet, Fubara had announced that several prominent PDP figures had resolved to support President Tinubu’s re-election.

Among those mentioned were former PDP National Chairman Uche Secondus, ex-Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Austin Opara, former Rivers Governor Celestine Omehia, and former Minister of Transport Abiye Sekibo.

Reacting, Wike dismissed their political relevance, claiming they failed to deliver even minimal electoral support for Atiku in the last election.

One of the major moments of Friday’s event was a speech by Robinson Ewor, former factional chairman of the PDP in Rivers State and a onetime ally of Governor Fubara.

Ewor announced the dissolution of his faction and its formal integration into the Aaron Chukwuemeka-led caretaker committee, which is loyal to Wike. He declared that the PDP in Rivers is no longer divided and now operates under a single leadership structure aligned with the FCT minister.

Ewor admitted that he was initially misled into believing Wike was unfairly targeting the governor but said subsequent developments revealed otherwise, particularly Fubara’s alleged failure to honour agreements brokered by President Tinubu.

Political tension in Rivers State has intensified in recent months, with Governor Fubara facing sustained criticism from Wike and lawmakers loyal to him in the Rivers State House of Assembly.

In December, Wike accused the governor of breaching their agreement and hinted at exposing details of discussions held during the period of emergency rule.

Despite the tensions, Governor Fubara, during a New Year crossover service, urged Rivers residents to remain calm and untroubled.

The political crisis, which stemmed from the fallout between Wike and his successor, led President Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Rivers in March 2025.

Fubara and other elected officials were suspended for six months before being reinstated in September, following the president’s termination of the emergency rule.

This reinstatement came after a second reconciliation effort in June 2025, brokered by President Tinubu, involving both Wike and Fubara alongside their political supporters.