2027: Wike Rejects Any Possibility of Backing Fubara for Second Term

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has ruled out supporting Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara for re-election in 2027, signaling a further strain in their already fractured political relationship.

He made the position known during a meeting with some All Progressives Congress delegates in Abuja, where he reviewed the political situation in Rivers State and his role in the emergence of the current administration.

Wike said he would not reconsider his decision, describing his earlier support for Fubara’s governorship as a political error he has no intention of repeating. He insisted that neither persuasion nor pressure would alter his stance.

According to him, attempts to draw him into ongoing 2027 succession discussions in Rivers State are misplaced. He also warned against individuals referencing his name in pursuit of political ambition, stressing that such claims were unauthorized.

The minister cautioned political actors organizing ethnic or factional blocs around his influence, saying he was aware of such mobilisations but would not be drawn into them.

He further urged his associates to be cautious in their engagements, advising them to avoid being misled in the buildup to the next election cycle.

Wike also addressed the broader political climate, stating that he remains unbothered by opposition campaigns directed at him, adding that political conflict is part of his public life.

In the same meeting, he commended members of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, describing their conduct amid political tensions as consistent and disciplined.

Shortly after the remarks, former Niger Delta Development Commission executive director Bomah Iyaye dismissed reports linking him to a governorship bid or suggesting he had received endorsement from Wike. He said he has neither declared interest in the race nor been endorsed, adding that his attention remains on his current administrative responsibilities.

Meanwhile, uncertainty continues to surround Governor Fubara’s political plans for 2027, as he has yet to publicly confirm whether he will seek another term. While speculation persists within political circles, an aide to the governor said a formal position would be communicated at the appropriate time, maintaining that Fubara still retains strong support within segments of the ruling party.