The political battle for the Rivers State Government House in 2027 is gathering momentum, with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike publicly predicting victory for APC governorship candidate Kingsley Chinda.
Wike made the statement during a reception held in his honour by Ogbakor Ikwerre at Obiri-Ehie, where he presented Chinda to members of the gathering and spoke confidently about his political future.
The former governor referred to Chinda as a former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives before describing him as the man expected to become the next governor of Rivers State.
Chinda’s emergence as the APC candidate has already reshaped the political contest in Rivers. He won the party’s governorship primary in May after other aspirants, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, withdrew from the contest.
Fubara later openly declared his support for the Wike-led political coalition and endorsed Chinda, urging his supporters to back the candidate ahead of the 2027 election.
The development marks a significant shift from the political tensions that previously existed between Wike and Fubara.
Wike, who governed Rivers from 2015 to 2023, remains an influential figure in the state’s political affairs. His latest declaration signals a determined effort by his political camp to consolidate support around Chinda ahead of the governorship election.
However, Wike’s prediction remains a political endorsement rather than an electoral outcome, with Rivers voters ultimately set to determine who occupies the Government House after the 2027 election.
The coming months are therefore expected to see increased political mobilisation as parties and candidates work to secure support across the state.
