A senior official of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a stark political warning, stating that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, cannot achieve any electoral success in the crucial Ogoni region without the endorsement of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.
A Political Fortress Declared
The declaration was made by Victor Giadom, the APC's National Vice Chairman for the South-South, during a public event on Tuesday, December 31, 2025. Giadom spoke at a 'thank-you' visit organized by Wike for supporters in Gokana Local Government Area, a visit captured in a video that later went viral.
In his address, Giadom left no room for ambiguity. He described Wike as the undisputed and dependable political leader in Rivers State and assured him that no rival force exists in Gokana. "I can guarantee, on behalf of my brothers, that the Gokana people are for Wike and Tinubu," Giadom stated emphatically.
He went further to label the area a "no-go area" for any politician, including the sitting governor, who lacks Wike's blessing. "For him to win anything in Gokana, he must pass through Wike," Giadom added, directly referencing Governor Fubara.
Wike's Warning and Unified Front in Ogoni
This event followed an earlier stop in Khana Local Government Area, where Minister Wike himself delivered a pointed message. He cautioned that the people of Rivers would not repeat what he termed a political "mistake" in the 2027 elections. This statement was widely interpreted as a signal that Governor Fubara's bid for a second term, despite his defection to the APC, is far from assured.
"As for the state, we will talk about that later. You know what I mean. We will not make a mistake again," Wike was quoted as saying.
The gathering also featured strong declarations of loyalty from other Ogoni leaders. Magnus Abe, a former Senator for Rivers South-East, announced that the people of Gokana had already chosen their political allies: Wike and President Bola Tinubu.
"The Ogoni people are with you, and we will not go home empty-handed. Please tell Tinubu not to bother coming to Gokana to campaign. We are for him," Abe stated.
Adding to the chorus, Confidence Deko, the Chairman of Gokana Local Government, pledged the council's total support to Wike, citing the minister's past contributions to the area's development.
The Implications for Rivers State Politics
In his response, Wike framed the visit as a gesture of gratitude for years of support from the Gokana people. He commended their unity and backing for President Tinubu, suggesting that such cohesion brings rewards. "When you are united, good things will come," he remarked.
Significantly, Wike noted that both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State were now collaborating under the umbrella of President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda. This claim highlights the complex, cross-party alliances that continue to define the state's political landscape, with Wike positioned as a central power broker.
The collective statements from this event underscore a major political reality: Nyesom Wike's influence in his home state, particularly in the oil-rich Ogoni territories, remains a formidable force. For Governor Siminalayi Fubara, navigating the path to the 2027 elections will require more than just a party affiliation; it will necessitate overcoming or reconciling with this entrenched political structure.
