A fresh political realignment is unfolding in Rivers State as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has reportedly endorsed former Commissioner for Works, Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly, as his preferred candidate for the 2027 Rivers State governorship election.
The endorsement, which sources say followed a closed-door political meeting in Port Harcourt on Monday, is already reshaping conversations around succession politics in the oil-rich state.
George Kelly, a former Commissioner for Works in Rivers State, is expected to run under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a significant shift in the state’s already tense political landscape.
According to insiders familiar with the meeting, Wike’s decision came after consultations with key stakeholders, including prominent ex-militant leaders Asari Dokubo and Ateke Tom, both of whom were present during the discussions.
The gathering was reportedly focused on evaluating the political direction of Rivers State and building a strategy to consolidate influence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
George Kelly is widely regarded as a loyal figure within Wike’s political structure and is seen by supporters as someone who could continue the former governor’s influence in the state’s governance architecture.
The move is being interpreted by political observers as a calculated attempt by Wike to maintain a strong foothold in Rivers politics despite his current role at the federal level.
The development comes amid an ongoing power struggle between Wike and incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara, whose administration has increasingly distanced itself from Wike’s political network since taking office.
The rift has deepened divisions within the state’s political system, affecting the House of Assembly and local government structures, and creating competing centres of power.
Efforts by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to mediate reconciliation between both camps have so far failed to produce lasting stability, as tensions continue to influence political alignments across the state.
Sources say the endorsement of George Kelly is part of a broader strategy to reposition Wike’s political bloc ahead of the next election cycle and reassert influence in Rivers State’s governance structure.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official confirmation from Wike or the APC regarding the endorsement.
