The political landscape in Nigeria is abuzz with Nyesom Wike’s declaration that Rivers State doesn’t need a governor to mobilize support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid. Speaking at the launch of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors office in Port Harcourt, Wike emphasized that the grassroots are already on board, and they’re not waiting for anyone’s blessing.
*The Power Players*
– *National Assembly Members*: Sitting Senators and House of Reps members are backing Tinubu
– *State Legislators*: Members of the State Assembly are on board
– *Local Government Leaders*: Council chairmen are part of the coalition
– *Party Chairmen*: Both APC and PDP leaders are united for Tinubu 2027
Wike’s statement is seen as a challenge to the traditional governor-as-leader structure in Nigerian politics. By leveraging a cross-party coalition, he’s signaling that Rivers State is solidly behind Tinubu, regardless of who sits in the governor’s chair
The move has sparked debate, with some seeing it as a masterstroke and others as a risky gamble. The rift between Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara is also evident, though Wike didn’t name names.
As the Renewed Hope Ambassadors office opens, the question remains: Can this mobilization effort succeed without the governor’s machinery? Only time will tell if Wike’s strategy pays off.
