A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has questioned Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike’s reported support for O.K. Chinda’s 2027 Rivers State governorship ambition, urging the aspirant to carefully consider the political implications of the alliance.
Eze raised the concerns in a statement dated October 12, 2026, describing himself as an ADC chieftain, media consultant and former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP).
He argued that Wike’s reported endorsement of Chinda raises questions about the minister’s earlier position on the rotation of political leadership among Rivers State’s ethnic groups.
Eze recalled comments attributed to Wike in December 2022, when he reportedly questioned whether another Ikwerre person could succeed him as governor after the eight-year administrations of himself and former Governor Rotimi Amaechi, both of Ikwerre origin.
Wike was quoted as saying that it would be difficult to convince the people to elect another Ikwerre person for another eight years after the tenures of both governors.
Eze said the reported backing of Chinda, who is also of Ikwerre extraction, appeared to contradict that earlier position. He challenged Wike to explain whether his thinking had changed or his current political interests had influenced his stance.
However, the ADC chieftain stressed that ethnic identity should neither automatically qualify nor disqualify anyone from contesting for governor. He said candidates should be judged on their competence, fairness, public acceptance and ability to win the support of voters.
He also warned against treating the governorship as the exclusive preserve of any individual or ethnic group, noting that Rivers State is home to several communities, including the Ijaw, Ogoni, Kalabari and Ikwerre.
According to him, the debate over who succeeds Governor Siminalayi Fubara should encourage wider discussions about fairness, inclusion and the political aspirations of the state’s diverse communities.
Eze also revisited the political crisis that led President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State in March 2025. He accused Wike of wielding excessive influence over the state’s politics and alleged that his involvement contributed to the crisis surrounding Fubara’s administration.
The emergency declaration initially suspended the governor, his deputy and members of the state House of Assembly for six months. The emergency rule was lifted in September 2025, allowing elected officials to return to office.
Eze criticised the intervention, arguing that Rivers residents should be allowed to determine their political leadership through constitutional means and credible elections.
He urged voters to scrutinise the records, political alliances and public positions of those seeking their support in 2027 rather than allow ethnic loyalties or party affiliations to overshadow accountability.
The ADC chieftain also questioned the purpose of the Rainbow Coalition, a political alliance associated with Wike, alleging that it could serve the interests of powerful individuals rather than promote a broader development agenda.
Drawing parallels with the G-5 governors’ alliance ahead of the 2023 presidential election, he said political coalitions should clearly define their objectives and maintain their independence.
He commended the Fubara Support Group for rejecting what he described as a self-serving arrangement, urging political organisations to build alliances around clear goals, mutual respect and the interests of their members.
Eze further called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties and civil society organisations to safeguard the integrity of the 2027 elections. He warned against voter intimidation, vote-buying and the misuse of public institutions.
Addressing Chinda directly, Eze urged him to assess his standing among Rivers voters and consider whether his governorship ambition was built on his own credibility, vision and policy proposals or depended largely on the support of influential political figures.
He cautioned that political endorsements alone could not guarantee electoral victory, urging the aspirant to build broad-based support across the state.
Eze concluded by calling on Rivers residents to prioritise credible leadership, democratic participation and accountability as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
He maintained that the state’s future should be determined by the people through the ballot box, not by the personal ambitions of powerful politicians or political alliances.
