Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has debunked rumors that he has already endorsed a successor for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara in the 2027 elections, specifically addressing speculation surrounding Kingsley Chinda.

​Speaking in Port Harcourt during a luncheon for the "Rainbow Coalition"—a political alliance uniting members of both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC)—Wike emphasized that the choice of a future governorship candidate will be a joint decision made by the coalition's leadership.

​"In the Rainbow Coalition, we have not chosen who will be the governor of Rivers State. We have candidates who have emerged under the coalition, but the only decision we have taken is that we are going to support President Bola Tinubu," Wike stated.


​A Shift Away from Solo Endorsements

​Wike reiterated his stance against single-handedly handpicking a candidate, referencing his 2023 backing of Fubara as a mistake he does not intend to repeat. He urged ambitious politicians in the state to align with the alliance if they want to secure future political positions.

​According to Wike, the coalition is open to anyone seeking elective roles, including:

  • ​The Governorship
  • ​Senate and House of Representatives seats
  • ​State House of Assembly positions
  • ​Local Government offices

​He emphasized that bypasssing the coalition would leave politicians irrelevant, while maintaining that it would be unfair to his supporters to claim any single aspirant currently holds his endorsement. Instead, he insists all contenders must prove their popularity through the standard political process.

​Legal Turmoil Deepens in Rivers APC

​Wike’s statements come amid heightened political uncertainty, compounded by a recent Court of Appeal ruling in Port Harcourt. The appellate court upheld a Rivers State High Court decision that nullified the congresses responsible for establishing the Tony Okocha-led APC executive in the state.

​The Appeal Court dismissed Okocha’s challenge (Suit No. CA/PH/523/2024) and ordered the involved parties back to the State High Court. This stems from a December 20, 2024, ruling by Justice Obomanu, which declared the congresses that brought Okocha to power invalid.

​Despite the setback, Chibuike Ikenga, the Publicity Secretary for Okocha’s faction, urged supporters to remain calm, claiming the judgment is being intentionally misinterpreted. Nonetheless, the ruling has sparked intense debate over the validity of past decisions made under Okocha's leadership, particularly regarding candidate selections for the 2027 cycle.