Supporters of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike are experiencing unease in Rivers State following the purchase of All Progressives Congress expression of interest and nomination forms for Governor Siminalayi Fubara ahead of the 2027 elections.
APC Nomination Forms for Governor Fubara
In a surprising turn, Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante, representing Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency, led stakeholders including the Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Hon. Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja, and members of the Rivers Elders Forum to purchase the APC governorship forms for Governor Fubara. According to Dailytrust, the group explained that the move was in response to the yearnings and aspirations of Rivers people who want him to continue to lead the state and restore sanity to the polity. They argued that Fubara's performance over the past three years justified his reelection bid.
Grassroots Support and Political Culture
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, Hon. Abiante described the development as part of democratic tradition rather than an extraordinary move. He said: "This is not unusual. Democracy requires participation, and this process recurs every four years. What matters is the will of the people, and Rivers people have made their position clear."
Abiante stressed that the initiative was not driven by the governor himself but by grassroots supporters across the state. He drew parallels with past political precedents, noting how allies had previously secured nomination forms for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. According to him, the funds for the forms were raised through small contributions from supporters, making it a people-powered effort. He added: "He did not send us, but he cannot turn his back on the people. This is a collective decision by Rivers people."
Wike's Reported Agreement and Political Shifts
Reports suggest that one of the agreements reached with Wike during the State of Emergency in Rivers was that Governor Fubara would not seek reelection. However, months after returning to power, Fubara left the PDP for the APC. The Rivers State House of Assembly later launched impeachment proceedings against him, which were suspended following intervention from the Presidency. Unlike other governors who defected to the APC, Fubara has not yet been formally welcomed into the party. The APC has previously organised grand receptions for defecting governors, often chaired by Vice-President Kashim Shettima.
This latest development signals a deepening political realignment in Rivers State, with grassroots mobilisation and elite manoeuvring shaping the path to the 2027 elections.
