With the incumbent effectively out of the 2027 governorship race, the battle for Rivers State’s political future has entered a new phase, as opposition forces reactivate efforts to build a formidable coalition to reclaim control of the state. However, Nyesom Wike’s loyalists said they remain firmly in charge of the political structure and are best positioned to determine the state’s next leadership, ANN GODWIN reports.

With Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration seemingly nearing its end after about three years of political turmoil that stalled governance and development, attention has now shifted to the next political chapter in the oil-rich Rivers State and the search for leadership capable of restoring stability and public confidence.

Investigations by The Guardian revealed that consultations, alliances and political realignments are already underway among key stakeholders to forge a formidable coalition and rally behind a consensus candidate capable of wresting political control from Nyesom Wike’s camp.

The move, according to sources, is aimed at restoring political stability, reviving good governance and ending more than three years of political uncertainty that has hampered governance and development in the state.

The objective, The Guardian gathered, is also to rebuild investor confidence and refocus the state on governance and development.

However, Wike’s camp is not resting on its oars, maintaining that the emerging coalition championed by the Minister remains firmly in control and will provide the leadership required to move the state forward. It also insists that the coalition still controls the political structure that will ultimately determine the direction of the state’s affairs in 2027.

While this rages, The Guardian also learnt that stakeholders, including prominent Rivers elders, political leaders and civil society actors dissatisfied with the outcome of the Fubara-Wike conflict, are encouraging supporters and governorship candidates of various opposition platforms to unite behind a common front.

These include Gabriel Pidomson of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), an ally of former Minister of Transportation Chibuike Amaechi; Dumo Lulu-Briggs of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), reportedly backed by Peter Obi; and Farah Dagogo of the Atiku Abubakar faction of the ADC.

According to sources involved in the consultations, the objective is to avoid splitting votes among multiple opposition candidates and instead present a united front against whichever candidate eventually emerges from Wike’s political camp.

One of the sources described the proposed movement as “Rivers People versus Wike,” arguing that the 2027 election should be driven by the electorate’s desire to reclaim political control rather than by entrenched political interests. Although the initiative is still evolving, insiders say consultations are ongoing across party lines.

While this is going on, it was learnt that Wike’s rainbow coalition, currently comprising the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP) and the Action Alliance (AA), with two additional political parties indicating interest in joining the alliance, may review the candidature of Kingsley Chinda of the APC, who is widely regarded as a close ally of the minister.

Recall that Chinda’s emergence has generated debate in some political circles over the state’s long-standing zoning arrangement among the riverine, Ogoni and upland ethnic nationalities. Meanwhile, Wike recently disclosed during a media chat that the rainbow coalition, not him, would determine its preferred governorship candidate.

The PDP in Rivers also has its own governorship candidate, Sam Ejekwu, who is considered another of the minister’s loyalists. Arguably, following Wike’s recent comments, Chinda’s fate in the governorship race appears uncertain.

Meanwhile, Rivers’ people are keenly interested in who wins the next election and whether the incoming administration can restore stability, accelerate development and rebuild public confidence after years of political turbulence.

When two elephants fight…

Rivers’ people have been adjudged the biggest losers in the prolonged battle between Fubara and Wike. Ordinary residents of the state have paid the highest price for the crisis. The popular saying that “when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers” aptly captures the situation.

For almost three years, governance took a back seat as political survival dominated public discourse. Court battles, legislative disputes, executive-legislative confrontations, and political negotiations overshadowed policies aimed at improving citizens’ welfare.

The consequences were significant. Government decision-making slowed considerably, while several development programmes were stalled or delayed. Infrastructure projects were also affected by the prolonged uncertainty.

The Port Harcourt Ring Road project, for instance, experienced interruptions during the period of emergency rule and afterwards, before construction activities resumed recently.

The deteriorating road conditions disrupted businesses, worsened flooding in some communities and increased transportation costs.

The political uncertainty also affected investor confidence. Potential investors adopted a cautious approach, slowing private-sector investments that could create jobs and stimulate economic growth. Small businesses, traders and unemployed youths equally felt the impact as economic opportunities diminished and commercial activities slowed.

Resources that could have been devoted to development were instead expended on legal disputes, political negotiations and reconciliation efforts.

Beyond the economic implications, the crisis deepened political divisions across communities. Families, friends and political associates found themselves on opposing sides of the conflict, while Rivers increasingly attracted national attention for political instability rather than its economic potential.

Despite the political uncertainty, some residents remain optimistic that the 2027 elections could mark a turning point.

Speaking, the Chairman of the APC in Rivers State, Tony Okocha, expressed optimism that the state is on the path to political stability and improved governance with the expected exit of Fubara next year.

Okocha said the state is already experiencing relative peace and believes the political atmosphere will continue to improve as various stakeholders work towards a common goal.

He dismissed suggestions that opposition political parties could pose a serious challenge to the coalition, insisting that no formidable political force currently exists capable of derailing its plans.

“I have not seen any strong political hands that can contend with the moving train we have,” he stated.

While acknowledging that other political groups are also mobilising ahead of future elections, the APC chairman said his party and its allies were equally perfecting their strategies.

However, a legal practitioner, Dr Innocent Ekwu, agreed that ordinary Rivers’ people emerged as the biggest losers in the prolonged political battle between Governor Fubara and Wike.

According to him, the crisis denied the governor the opportunity to fully exercise the powers of his office and ultimately slowed the pace of governance.

“The governor was willing to work, but he was constantly confronted with political obstacles. That has set Rivers State back by several years. It is regrettable, and the greatest victims are the people of Rivers State,” he said.

Ekwu urged Rivers’ residents to unite ahead of the 2027 governorship election and support a consensus candidate capable of taking power from Wike and restoring stability to the state.

He alleged that Wike’s leadership style had created recurring political crises, arguing that democracy should reflect the wishes of the majority rather than those of a few individuals.

“If Rivers’ people allow another candidate imposed on them to emerge, it would amount to rewarding what many perceive as political tyranny. Democracy is about the will of the majority. Unfortunately, what we have witnessed in Rivers is a situation where the minority appears to be determining the direction of the majority,” he said.

On what he expects after the Fubara administration, Ekwu said: “My expectation is that Rivers people will settle for one consensus candidate and channel their collective energy towards that individual to restore the dignity of the state and ensure that governance returns to the people.”

Inquiring about the coalition’s governorship candidate, Okocha said no final decision had been made, stressing that the process would be determined collectively by the coalition’s members.

According to him, the coalition will assess the strengths, political value and electoral advantages of all prospective candidates before arriving at a consensus on whom to support.

“We have not decided who will fly the coalition’s governorship ticket. At the appropriate time, all the parties will sit together, evaluate the possibilities and support the candidate with the greatest advantage,” Okocha said.

Meanwhile, some of Fubara’s allies and supporters have expressed willingness to embrace peace and end the prolonged political crisis that has held the state back.

Speaking, former Rivers State PDP Publicity Secretary and an ally of Fubara, Sydney Gbara, said the recent political developments would not halt the state’s progress, stressing that politics is dynamic and driven by interests.

According to him, political alignments and realignments are inevitable, noting that the current situation does not signify the end of any political movement.

“The truth is that, despite what has happened, politics will continue, and the state will continue to progress. In politics, interests are permanent. Going forward, there will be alignments and realignments. When situations like this arise, it is not the end; politics will continue, and realignment is the next phase people should expect,” he said.

Declaring his loyalty to Fubara, Gbara said he and many other supporters would continue to stand by the governor’s decision to pursue peace.

“There is no need for unnecessary political confrontation and division in the state. Our focus should be on peace, unity and moving Rivers State forward for the benefit of all,” he said.

Also speaking, political and policy analyst, Olalekan Ige, expressed optimism that the post-Fubara era could usher in a new political beginning for Rivers State.

According to him, the leading governorship aspirants currently attracting attention include Kingsley Chinda, Dumo Lulu-Briggs and Gabriel Pidomson, representing different political platforms.

He noted that beyond the governorship contest, expected changes in the composition of the Rivers State House of Assembly could also help stabilise governance.

Another legal practitioner, Wori Wori, also expressed optimism that the end of the current political crisis could create room for better governance.

He said the prolonged conflict between the executive and legislature had negatively affected governance and investor confidence.

“If Governor Fubara eventually leaves office, I believe it will mark a new beginning for Rivers people. Many residents are hopeful that the next administration will avoid the political confrontations that characterised the current government,” he said.

Similarly, several market women, artisans and small business owners lamented that the prolonged political crisis took a heavy toll on their livelihoods. Many said the uncertainty slowed commercial activities, discouraged customers and reduced patronage that sustains numerous small enterprises.

Emelia Ukuamaka, who sells food items in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state, noted that delays in infrastructure projects and poor road conditions in some parts of the state affected daily sales. She expressed hope that the incoming administration would create a more conducive environment for businesses to thrive.

Arguably, whoever emerges as governor in 2027, whether backed by Wike’s political structure or by a broader consensus of Rivers stakeholders, may be reluctant to repeat the mistakes of the recent past.

There is also the expected emergence of a new leadership in the Rivers State House of Assembly following the decision of several lawmakers, including Speaker Martins Amaewhule, to seek election into the House of Representatives. Many believe a new legislature could help reset executive-legislative relations.

As Rivers State gradually turns the page on one of the most turbulent periods in its political history, residents’ expectations are clear: an end to prolonged political hostilities and a return to purposeful governance.

Whether the next governor emerges from Wike’s political structure or from a broader consensus among Rivers stakeholders, the real victory will not be measured by who occupies the Brick House, but by who restores peace, stability, trust, and good governance in Rivers State. (The Guardian)

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