The political landscape in Rivers State is heating up early, with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, issuing a stark warning to the electorate as the countdown to the 2027 general elections begins.
A Cautionary Message in Khana
During a visit to Khana Local Government Area on Tuesday, December 30, Wike declared that formal political activities in the state would kick off in January 2026. He used the occasion to advise residents against making political choices they might live to regret, hinting at dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs.
"We won’t make mistakes again," Wike stated pointedly. "The first one you have done – have they said thank you? So, if you make another mistake, that means they will drive you out."
The Unspoken Target: Governor Fubara
Although Wike did not mention his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, by name, his remarks were widely interpreted as a direct reference to the protracted political feud between the two leaders. Fubara, who took over from Wike in 2023, has governed amidst a deeply fractured political environment.
The core of the crisis has been a fierce struggle for control of the state's political machinery. This power tussle escalated into a full-blown constitutional confrontation, which had severe consequences for the state's stability.
From Rift to State of Emergency
The political tensions reached a boiling point, leading to the drastic measure of a declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. This was followed by the suspension of Governor Fubara, further complicating the governance of the oil-rich state and intensifying the battle for supremacy.
Wike's latest comments are seen as an early salvo in what promises to be a highly charged political mobilization period. By reminding voters of the "consequences of previous decisions," he is clearly framing the upcoming electoral cycle as a chance for correction, setting the stage for a major political showdown in 2027.
