Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has thrown his weight behind the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State, Kingsley Chinda, predicting that he will emerge as the state’s next governor in the 2027 election.
Wike made the declaration on Tuesday while speaking at a reception organised in his honour by Ogbakor Ikwerre, the socio-cultural organisation representing the Ikwerre ethnic nationality, at Obiri-Ehie.
The former Rivers State governor introduced Chinda to those gathered at the event as a former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives and described him as the person who, by God’s grace, would take over the leadership of the state after the 2027 election.
Chinda, who represents Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, secured the APC governorship ticket earlier this year after emerging as the party’s candidate for the election.
His candidacy has also received the backing of incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who previously announced his decision not to seek another term and publicly endorsed Chinda as his preferred successor.
The latest declaration further strengthens Wike’s influence over the political arrangement taking shape in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 polls.
Wike and Fubara had previously been involved in a prolonged political dispute that divided the state’s political structure. Their subsequent reconciliation has now been followed by a new alignment involving the APC and the Wike-led political coalition.
With the 2027 election approaching, attention is expected to focus increasingly on whether the political alliance backing Chinda can translate its influence into electoral victory.
