The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has reportedly endorsed the former Commissioner for Works, Alabo Dakorinama George-Kelly, as his preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship election.
According to reports from Africa Update, Alabo George-Kelly is expected to contest for the state’s highest office on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). This development marks a significant strategic shift, as the Wike-led political structure appears to be formalising its alignment with the national ruling party ahead of the next general election cycle.
The endorsement reportedly followed a protracted closed-door meeting held in Port Harcourt on Monday. Sources familiar with the deliberations told Daily Post that the summit involved a wide spectrum of influential stakeholders, aimed at reviewing the current political climate in the state and consolidating a unified front.
Of particular note was the presence of prominent regional figures, including Asari Dokubo and Ateke Tom. Their attendance is viewed by political analysts as a signal of the extensive consultations undertaken before settling on George-Kelly’s candidacy.
“Wike’s endorsement of George is a strategic move to reassert control and shape the political future of Rivers State ahead of 2027,” a source who witnessed the meeting disclosed. “It is part of a broader effort to maintain political dominance despite his current role at the federal level.”
Alabo George-Kelly, a seasoned professional and a core loyalist within the Wike political family, previously served as the Commissioner for Works. During his tenure, he was a central figure in the execution of the “New Rivers” infrastructural agenda. His selection is seen as an attempt to ensure continuity of the predecessor’s vision while mounting a formidable challenge to the incumbent administration.
The endorsement comes amidst a deepening and highly publicised political crisis in Rivers State. The power struggle between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his estranged predecessor, Nyesom Wike, has fractured the state’s political architecture.
Since his inauguration, Governor Fubara has steadily distanced himself from the influence of his former mentor, a move that has led to: Legislative Division: A bifurcated House of Assembly with opposing factions, Local Government Friction: Intense disputes over the leadership and tenure of council chairmen, and Partisan Realignment: A migration of key loyalists between the PDP and the APC.
By backing George-Kelly on the APC platform, Minister Wike appears to be positioning a “third force” to reclaim the state’s leadership. As the 2027 general elections approach, this latest move ensures that Rivers State will remain the epicentre of Nigerian political discourse, as two powerful factions prepare for an inevitable electoral collision.
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