By Ghazali Ibrahim
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reportedly endorsed former Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly, as his preferred candidate for the state’s governorship ahead of the 2027 general elections.
George is expected to contest under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in what observers describe as an early strategic move to shape the political landscape in Rivers State.
According to sources familiar with the development, Wike’s decision followed a closed-door meeting with key political stakeholders in Port Harcourt on Monday.
The meeting was said to have focused on the state’s evolving political dynamics and strategies for consolidating influence ahead of the next election cycle.
Notable figures at the meeting reportedly included former militant leaders Asari Dokubo and Ateke Tom, highlighting the breadth of consultations preceding the endorsement.
George, a longstanding ally of Wike, previously served as Commissioner for Works and is widely regarded as a loyal figure within the minister’s political network.
Sources indicated that the endorsement forms part of broader efforts by Wike to retain political relevance and influence in Rivers State despite his current position at the federal level.
The development comes amid an ongoing political rift between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Wike, his former political benefactor. Since assuming office, Fubara has increasingly distanced himself from Wike, triggering deep divisions across the state’s political structures, including the House of Assembly and local government system.
The fallout has led to a series of political realignments, with both camps vying for control of party machinery and governance in the state. Attempts by President Bola Tinubu to mediate the crisis have so far made limited progress.
A source close to the discussions described Wike’s reported endorsement of George as “a calculated step to reassert influence and shape the direction of Rivers politics ahead of 2027.”
However, there has been no official confirmation of the endorsement as of the time of filing this report.
