Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike met with the chairmen of Rivers State's Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) on January 5, 2026, signaling his intent to shape the 2027 elections in the oil-rich state. The closed-door session underscores Wike's cross-party influence despite his strained PDP ties and ongoing feud with Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Wike, a former Rivers governor, engaged PDP State Chairman Hon. (name from context) and APC Chairman Chief Tony Okocha to align strategies, with local leaders like Ahoada West's APC chair Rejoice Otobo vowing to follow his directives on 2027 polls. Otobo declared, "Wherever you ask us to go, there we shall go," reflecting Wike's grip across party lines.
The gathering aims to block Fubara's second term, restoring what Wike calls Rivers' "political glory" lost to "bad governance," as stated during his Ahoada West thank-you tour. Amid PDP suspending its caretaker chairman for pro-Wike support and appointing Chief Ogbam Ojimah as acting head, Wike's moves intensify pre-2027 rivalries.
Rivers APC and PDP grassroots pledged allegiance, with Wike crediting his FCT achievements for renewed state respect under President Tinubu. Critics like Umar Sani urge Wike to exit PDP, but his multi-party coalition positions him as South-South's "political field marshal".