The 2027 political battle in Rivers State took a surprising twist on Sunday as leaders of rival parties openly pledged allegiance to Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), declaring him the ultimate political compass for the elections ahead.
Rejoice Otobo, chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ahoada West Local Government Area, stunned party faithful during a heated stakeholders’ meeting by announcing that the party would fully submit to Wike’s directives.
“We await instructions from you on the 2027 elections concerning Rivers state. Wherever you ask us to go, there we shall go; whatever you ask us to do is what we will do,” Otobo told Wike, who was present at the gathering.
“All the good and the bad people of the LGA have decided that where you want us to go is where we will go.”
In an even more eye-catching development, the pledge of loyalty crossed party lines. Ikechukwu Obuzor, chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ahoada West, also aligned himself with the former Rivers governor.
“I want to say that we are standing firm with you. Wherever you go, we will go. Be assured that come 2027, Ahoada west will deliver the needed results for you,” he said.
The atmosphere grew more charged as Chita Eugene, chairman of Ahoada LGA, crowned Wike “the political field marshal of the south-south”, drawing loud approval from the audience.
Responding, Wike fired a clear warning shot ahead of 2027, urging residents to block Governor Siminalayi Fubara from securing a second term in office.
“Already, Rivers state is being respected because of what we are doing in FCT. We need a leader we can trust to drive our dear state to glory and progress,” Wike said.
Wike’s open campaign against Fubara followed the governor’s defection from the PDP to the APC in December. The FCT minister has since accused Fubara of reneging on the agreement they both signed before President Bola Tinubu lifted the emergency rule in Rivers State.
