There is growing suspense in Rivers State over a proposed political coalition expected to produce a consensus governorship candidate ahead of the 2027 elections.
The coalition, bringing together both ruling and opposition forces, is being spearheaded by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who is said to have intensified consultations on a preferred candidate.
Unlike in many states where aspirants have begun to emerge, no prominent figure, including the incumbent governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has openly declared interest in the governorship race.
Observers say Fubara’s continued silence has heightened uncertainty, especially as political alignments begin to take shape ahead of the poll.
Sources familiar with the coalition’s strategy revealed that two names have gained traction as possible consensus candidates.
One is Kingsley Ogundu Chinda, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, who has represented Obio-Akpor Federal Constituency since 2011.
Chinda is widely regarded as a loyal ally of Wike, particularly during the political crisis that rocked the state.
Also mentioned is Marcus Eji, Executive Director (Projects) at the South-South Development Commission and a former Rivers lawmaker.
Eji is also seen as close to Wike, having been introduced to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a private meeting in Abuja.
Amid growing speculations, Wike has downplayed the role of ethnicity in the selection process, warning against attempts to divide his political base along ethnic lines.
“Those of you sending people to preach ethnicity, it will not work. I will work with those who are sincere, not minding where the person comes from,” he said.
The minister maintained that he has not endorsed any candidate for the 2027 elections, except his support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Sources disclosed that the eventual political platform for the coalition’s candidate may depend largely on Fubara’s next move.
According to a source: “If the governor decides to run based on the choice of first refusal extended to all first term governors in APC, the coalition will ask its chosen candidate to stay in PDP and challenge the governor.
“But if the governor decides not to run, the chosen candidate may be asked to contest on APC platform, especially since the coalition controls both the APC and PDP leadership in the state.”
There are growing concerns about the governor’s political positioning, with critics pointing to his failure to rebuild his support base following the crisis that disrupted the ‘Simplified Movement.’
Analysts also note that Fubara may face an uphill task if he contests without firm control of party structures in the state.
However, a source close to the governor insisted that the final decision rests solely with him.
“It is only the governor that will decide his fate. He has the support of his colleagues and residents of the state. His support in the state can always be rekindled. But we are waiting for his decision,” the source told The Nation.
The source added that if the governor depends on Wike’s endorsement to run for a second term, he would not contest because Wike had foreclosed his support for him.
Wike has also hinted that he may not support Fubara if he chooses to run again, suggesting a deepening political divide between both camps.
“No amount of blackmail, no amount of intimidation will make me to repeat the same mistake I made before. If anybody is bringing money to you, it is your business. I don’t know how long I will have to live on this earth, but I will not make the mistake,” the minister said.