Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has endorsed Kingsley Chinda, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State, declaring that the lawmaker will emerge as the state’s next governor after the 2027 election. Wike made his position known on Tuesday at Obiri-Ehie while speaking at a reception organised in his honour […]
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has endorsed Kingsley Chinda, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State, declaring that the lawmaker will emerge as the state’s next governor after the 2027 election.
Wike made his position known on Tuesday at Obiri-Ehie while speaking at a reception organised in his honour by Ogbakor Ikwerre, the socio-cultural organisation representing the Ikwerre ethnic nationality.
During the event, Wike identified Chinda, a former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, as his preferred candidate and described him as “by the grace of God, the next governor of Rivers State.”
The declaration comes as political preparations for the 2027 governorship election begin to gather pace across Rivers State, with different political camps positioning themselves for control of the state.
Chinda currently serves in the House of Representatives and has maintained a close political relationship with Wike over the years. His emergence as the APC governorship candidate has therefore placed him at the centre of the latest political calculations surrounding the state’s succession battle.
The endorsement is also coming after a turbulent period in Rivers politics, particularly the political disagreement between Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The crisis, which began after Fubara succeeded Wike, created deep divisions among political leaders and lawmakers in the state.
At the height of the confrontation, lawmakers aligned with Wike initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara. The dispute later contributed to the circumstances surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State.
The political tension eventually gave way to reconciliation between the two camps, producing new alliances and significantly changing the political landscape ahead of 2027.
Fubara has since decided not to seek re-election for a second term, creating an opening for a new political figure to succeed him as governor. The development has increased attention on Chinda and other potential contenders seeking to control the state.
Following the political realignment, Fubara joined the APC and became associated with the Rainbow Coalition. Chinda has also emerged as a major beneficiary of the new political arrangement and has been identified as the preferred successor within the camp.
Wike’s latest declaration could further strengthen Chinda’s position, particularly because of the former governor’s enduring political influence in Rivers State. His support is expected to shape the contest as the 2027 election approaches.
However, whether the political backing translates into electoral victory will ultimately depend on the ability of Chinda and the APC to consolidate support across the state and withstand competition from rival parties.
The latest development is expected to intensify political activities in Rivers State as parties begin building their structures and strategies for the next governorship election.
With Wike now openly backing Chinda, the former governor has left little doubt about the candidate he wants to see succeed Fubara and take charge of Rivers State in 2027.