Politicians in Rivers State are beginning to cash in on the rivalry between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his godfather, Nyesom Wike to prepare for the 2027 governorship race as opposition parties woo young politicians to unsettle the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party
By Chinedu Oguh, Port Harcourt
New faces have emerged in the political space of Rivers State, scaling up the lists of aspirants eyeing the governorship seat at the Bricks House (Government House), Port Harcourt as the 2027 electioneering gets underway.
The new entrants, mostly from the main political parties, the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressive Congress (APC), are expected to announce their aspirations as soon as political activities begin, sources from the two political parties told Tentacle.
Both the PDP and APC have been in hot contest for Rivers Governorship seat since 1999 when Nigeria returned to Civil Rule. But PDP has been in firm control of the state. They have never lost governorship since 1999. And the battle for the number one seat has always been between it and the APC.
However, in 2023, the Labour Party (LP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) also made significant entry into the governorship contest, but their entrant was not significant enough to stir political storm in the camps of PDP and its arch-rival, the APC.
As the 2027 electioneering clock ticks, Tentacle gathered reliably that top politicians in Rivers State have started political permutations regarding the chances of any of the hopefuls. Political analysts described dozens of names mentioned by many politicians as contenders for the governorship race as a mix of new and old political foxes.
Among the new entrants whose name pups up in PDP is Senator Barinada Mpigi, who is one of the oldest members of PDP in the state and a former Commissioner for the Environment during former Governor Peter Odili’s tenure, before his election into the House of Representatives as representative of Tai, Oyigbo Federal Constituency between 2007 and 2023.
In 2023, he was elected into the senate to represent Rivers South East Senatorial District. Tentacle learnt that he is the preferred candidate of the former governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nyesom Wike.
He comes from Ogoni axis, the only region in the state that has never produced a governor, deputy governor, Speaker or Chief Judge since the creation of Rivers State in 1967. Two PDP stalwarts described him as “a loyal party member and one not known for controversy”.
Another likely contender is a two-time Governorship candidate of the APC; Pastor Tonye Cole. He is back to political tranches still in APC. The business magnate turned politician is a long-time friend of former governor of Rivers State and the immediate past Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi. He has made it known publicly that he will run for State’s Governorship in the next elections.
Speaking on Prime Time, an Arise Television Programme, Cole, who said he has the goal to become Governor of Rivers State, framed his latest bid as a “third time lucky” signaling his determination to finally clinch the position after years of political engagement.
Cole contested the Rivers Governorship twice, in 2019 and 2023 but was unsuccessful on both occasions.
Cole added that he remains committed to the APC and has no intention of following Amaechi to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
‘Nobody can take away the fact that he brought me into politics” Cole said, noting that while Amaechi is now pursuing the Presidency, he remains focused on Rivers State. I have always had a lot of respect for individuals like Rotimi Amaechi and others. I have consistently said he has a goal and ambition for where he wants to go and do. I have my own ambition and goals.
“Where we stand today, he is interested in running for president and he has gone to pursue that. I am interested in running for Governor of Rivers State and I’m staying there,” Cole said.
A former members of Rivers State House of Assembly, former Commissioner for Information during the tenure of Governor Peter Odili and one-time Secretary to Rivers State Government (SSG) during the era of Rotimi Amaechi, former Senator and now Chairman, National Agency for Great Green Wall, Abuja, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe is another contender for number one seat in Rivers State under APC.
He was the Governorship Candidate of SDP in 2023, but he lost woefully. This time the great ally and confidant of President Bola Tinubu wants to try his luck again with a different political party. He is seen as a strong contender with supporters arguing that the Ogoni axis he comes from deserves the Governorship seat this time around more than any other region.
Chairman All Progressive Congress (APC) Rivers State, Chief Tony Okocha is another politician eyeing the governorship seat. The former Chief of Staff, Government House and now Rivers State Representative in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), under his leadership APC is making great progress in Rivers.
In the just concluded Local Government Election, APC won 20 of 23 councils in the state. He hails from Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, the same local government with the immediate past Governor Nyesom Wike. Will he clinch the ticket? Only time will tell.
Also, a former Chairman, PDP Rivers State, Chief Felix Obuah, popularly called “Go Round” is another prominent name in the mix. He was a strong contender during the 2023 PDP Governorship Primary, but was forced to step down for Governor Siminalayi Fubara. His supporters believe his experience in politics as a great grass-root mobilizer, make him a strong candidate. However, some within PDP question whether at 67 he might be too old to lead a dynamic state like Rivers State.
A former member of Rivers State House of Assembly and former Commissioner for Finance and a strong ally of Nyesom Wike, Chief Isaac Kamalu is also in the picture for the governorship race. He was one of Wike’s favourites for the 2023 governorship primary. Although he lost, he still nurses the ambition of becoming Governor in his lifetime. The opposition party APC is courting him to their fold.
Obarilormate Ollor is one young politician that has done well for himself. The robust and vibrant politician who is currently Chairman, Eleme Local Government Area has dumped PDP for APC. He is one of the governorship candidates to watch in 2027.
However, Governor Fubara, the incumbent is not a push-over despite his present political travails. As the race to take over power from him is gathering momentum with political stakeholder rallying behind various potential candidates, the opposition party, APC is wooing him to their camp. However, his potential run may run into trouble waters as he may not get the endorsement of his political God Father and mentor, Wike.
His supporters, who have begun lobbying for his second term, argue that it will be unfair to him to go for only one term, whereas other previous governors in the state enjoyed their second term in office.
As Rivers politics hits up, observers expect a competitive race, with regional balancing and political loyalty likely to play significant roles in the final decision.
