Wike endorses George-Kelly as preferred candidate for Rivers Gov’rship election

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has reportedly endorsed a former Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Alabo Dakorinama George-Kelly, as his preferred candidate for the Rivers State governorship election. George-Kelly is expected to contest the seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to sources, Wike settled on the former commissioner after a closed-door meeting with key political stakeholders in Port Harcourt on Monday. The meeting reportedly reviewed the political situation in Rivers State and strategies for consolidating influence ahead of the next election cycle. Those present included former militant leaders Asari Dokubo and Ateke Tom; a source said their attendance underscored the level of consultations that preceded the endorsement.

George-Kelly, a political figure in Rivers State who previously served as Commissioner for Works, is considered a loyalist within Wike’s political structure. A source who witnessed the meeting stated that the development is part of efforts to maintain Wike’s political dominance in Rivers State despite his current role at the federal level.

The source added, “Wike’s endorsement of George is a strategic move to reassert control and shape the political future of Rivers State ahead of 2027.”

This development comes amid the lingering political crisis in Rivers State, driven by the power struggle between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Wike, his estranged political godfather. Since assuming office, Fubara has gradually distanced himself from Wike’s influence, leading to divisions within the state’s political structure, including the House of Assembly and local government leadership.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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