President Bola Tinubu is facing a significant political dilemma in Rivers State as he strategises for the 2027 general elections, a prominent Nigerian journalist has revealed. The challenge stems from the ongoing rivalry between the state's governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The Core of the Presidential Dilemma
Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, the Director of News at TVC Communications, provided this analysis in a recent interview. He explained that President Tinubu's primary goal is to secure a decisive, uncontested victory in Rivers State during the 2027 presidential poll. However, achieving this "hands down" win is complicated by the state's internal political dynamics.
The president's plan hinges on the support of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, according to Kolade-Otitoju. The journalist emphasised that Fubara commands substantial backing from the ordinary citizens of Rivers State. Public perception paints the governor as the victim in the protracted power struggle, and with Nigerians historically favouring the underdog, this sentiment has translated into widespread popular support for Fubara.
Balancing Two Powerful Forces
Kolade-Otitoju outlined the tightrope President Tinubu must walk. On one hand, he needs to harness the considerable public support that Governor Fubara enjoys to guarantee an easy electoral victory in the oil-rich state. On the other hand, the President is reluctant to lose the alliance of Nyesom Wike, a former governor of Rivers and a powerful figure in the nation's political landscape who currently serves as the FCT Minister.
The journalist pointed to a critical strategic move by Governor Fubara that intensified this dilemma. Fubara's decision to align with the All Progressives Congress (APC) is seen as a tactical manoeuvre. This move, Kolade-Otitoju suggested, is designed to empower Fubara to aggressively pursue a second-term bid without the constant pressure and potential obstruction from his former political mentor, Wike.
This development followed a reconciliation meeting where Fubara was said to have promised, in the presence of Wike and assembly members, that he would not seek re-election. His shift to the APC appears to be a direct counter to that earlier commitment.
Broader Political Repercussions and Criticism
The political crisis in Rivers State has attracted commentary from other quarters. Earlier, a former National Assembly member, Senator Olaka Nwogu, levied serious accusations against Governor Fubara. Nwogu, who claimed to have been part of a major reconciliation meeting in 2025, asserted that all agreements aimed at resolving the state's political crisis were repeatedly flouted by the governor. This statement directly challenged Fubara's integrity and added another layer of complexity to the already volatile situation.
As the 2027 elections draw closer, the political chess game in Rivers State presents a formidable test for President Tinubu's strategic planning. His ability to navigate the competing interests of the popular incumbent governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his influential but now-opposed former ally, Nyesom Wike, will be crucial in determining the APC's fortunes in one of Nigeria's most politically significant states.
