Port Harcourt — The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara will not secure re-election in 2027, insisting that a reported ₦600 billion “war chest” would not determine the outcome of the next governorship contest in the state.
Wike spoke during what was described as a “thank-you” visit to Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he accused the governor—his estranged political protégé—of reneging on agreements allegedly reached at a peace and reconciliation meeting convened by President Bola Tinubu in June. He argued that Rivers politics is decided by popular support and political structure, not access to state resources.
“We are battle ready… If they like, let them keep all the money, whether they have ₦600bn or not… What matters is the people; it is not money,” Wike was quoted as saying, while also claiming that the details of what was agreed before the President would “soon” be made public.
The latest exchange deepens public attention on the long-running Wike–Fubara political rift, which has fuelled months of institutional tension and competing claims of legitimacy within Rivers’ political establishment. Analysts say the dispute has become a textbook case of Nigeria’s “godfather politics” and the high-stakes struggle for control of party structures ahead of 2027.
The comments also come amid fresh controversy in the state following reports that some lawmakers returned ₦100,000 credited to their accounts as Christmas bonus, describing the payment as unsolicited and unapproved—an issue the state government has since publicly clarified.
Separately, Wike has also maintained in recent media engagements that political leadership in Rivers is determined by grassroots control and structure, not titles or office, arguing that party strength in the state has already shifted through earlier movements by key political actors.
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