\n\n
A new political battle is unfolding in Rivers State following a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that reinforces the authority of governors within party structures ahead of the 2027 elections. The move has intensified the long-running rivalry between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, now FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, despite earlier reconciliation efforts brokered by the presidency. 
At the heart of the tension is control over political structures and candidate selection. While the directive appears to favour Fubara as the sitting governor, Wike still wields significant influence through loyal lawmakers and party networks. Analysts say both camps are already strategically positioning allies and potential candidates, with speculation around figures like Kingsley Chinda and other Wike loyalists, while Fubara is expected to seek a second term amid uncertainty over elite backing. 
The situation is further complicated by divisions within the Rivers State House of Assembly and overlapping party loyalties between the APC and PDP. Observers warn that Tinubu’s directive, though intended to promote coordination, may deepen existing fractures unless both camps reach a political understanding. With 2027 approaching, Rivers is shaping up as one of Nigeria’s most volatile political battlegrounds, where alliances, control of party structures, and federal influence will likely determine the outcome. 
