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Published on 2024-02-18 12:19:30
Former Rivers governor and current Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, delivered a veiled message to his successor, Siminalayi Fubara, at a Thanksgiving service on Sunday. During the service, Wike expressed confidence in his alliance between the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, claiming that he and his camp would be unbeatable in the 2027 election. This announcement made by Wike comes amid speculation about his political ambitions and the ongoing feud between him and Fubara.
Their relationship, once likened to that of a godfather and a godson, has since turned sour, with the two distancing themselves from each other less than six months after Fubara took office as governor. Their falling-out signaled an end to the political harmony that once characterized their interactions. The event at which Wike made his announcement was a Thanksgiving service organized by Senator Barinada Mpigi in Koroma of Tai local government area of Rivers state.
Wike declared his preparedness for the upcoming general election, stating, “With the forces we have, I don’t know of anybody who can challenge us. I can tell you it is like tomorrow is 2027. For me, it is still very far. I can’t wait. The two leaderships of the party, APC is here, and PDP; where can you find that leadership unity?” He further continued, “Which state? It is only in Rivers that you can find that unity.”
This announcement comes as a bold assertion of his political strength and the success of his alliance in Rivers State, suggesting that his camp would be difficult to overcome in the 2027 election. Despite resistance from various quarters, Wike remains resolute in his determination to oppose any attempt to divide his alliance between the PDP and APC.
The strained relationship between Wike and Fubara has been widely documented. Once a strong political partnership, Wike had actively supported Fubara’s candidacy to succeed him as governor of Rivers State. Nevertheless, the two have been embroiled in a bitter feud since Fubara assumed office, leading to a total breakdown of their once cordial relationship.
In a separate development, reports emerged that Rivers State’s most wanted cult leader, Gift Okpara, popularly referred to as 2Baba, was reportedly killed during a police raid. Okpara was the prime suspect in the murder of the late SP Bako Angbashim, a former Divisional Police Officer in the state. This revelation came as a significant development in the ongoing security challenges within the state.
In conclusion, Wike’s statement at the Thanksgiving service conveys a sense of confidence in his political significance and the strength of his alliance in Rivers State. While his declaration may face opposition and skepticism from various quarters, Wike remains adamant about the prospects of his camp and the viability of their alliance in the 2027 election. This assertion sets the stage for an intriguing political landscape in Rivers State and further solidifies Wike’s resolve to maintain his dominance in the region. However, the ongoing feud with Fubara and the security challenges within the state are issues that continue to impact the political and social climate of Rivers State.
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