Tinubu’s 2027 Victory in Rivers Will Be Resounding — Nwuche

Fomer Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche, has predicted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will achieve a resounding victory in Rivers State in the 2027 presidential election. Nwuche said the endorsement of the President by the Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus over the weekend marks a significant shift in the state’s political landscape.

Speaking with *The Nation* in Abuja, Nwuche praised Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike and the Rivers State National Assembly caucus for their decision to support Tinubu’s reelection bid. He noted that political forces controlling both the PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers have now resolved to move in one direction, adding that the dominant political structure in the state remains firmly with Wike.

Nwuche said, “The political structure that Wike has in Rivers is the dominant structure, there is no other. Any curious political analyst should ask: how come these National Assembly members have remained with Wike all these years and how come so many prominent leaders too have remained with him?” He emphasized that although Wike helped deliver Rivers for Tinubu in 2023, the 2027 victory would be even more emphatic due to the President’s growing goodwill and trust, much of which he attributed to Wike’s influence.

Highlighting Wike’s impact, Nwuche said the former governor and current minister empowered many people across the South-South through political appointments and contracts, actions that have solidified his base. According to him, “Politics is about the people. If you use your office for their good, they will stand with you.” He added that with the PDP National Assembly caucus now backing Tinubu, the 2027 project in Rivers has already seen tremendous success.

Nwuche also touched on the leadership of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing it as disappointing. He criticized Fubara for allegedly turning against Wike, his political benefactor, within three months of assuming office. According to Nwuche, simply occupying the position of governor does not guarantee political success, noting that other factors such as control of security agencies, electoral bodies, and the people’s goodwill are crucial.

In a related matter, Nwuche called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to return the N300 million donation made by Governor Fubara for the NBA’s 2025 conference in Rivers State. He argued that the funds were not properly authorized by representatives of the people, saying, “We almost have no government. As a senior lawyer, I advise the NBA to return the N300 million because it does not seem to have been endorsed by the proper authorities responsible for approving budgetary allocations.”