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The political drama in Rivers State just got more interesting. Nyesom Wike, the FCT Minister, is quietly positioning two of his close allies for the 2027 governorship race. Both men belong to the Rainbow Coalition and are set to fly the flags of two major parties.
Alabo Dakorinama George-Kelly looks set to run under the All Progressives Congress. On the other side, Kingsley Chinda, the House of Representatives Minority Leader, is tipped to pick the Peoples Democratic Party ticket.
Sources within the Rainbow Coalition say the duo got the green light from coalition leaders to go ahead and buy nomination forms for both parties.
George-Kelly’s reported move has already stirred excitement among political players in the state. Several stakeholders, according to Vanguard sources, were happy to hear that the Kalabari Ijaw man had entered the race.
His candidacy fits into the growing demand for an Ijaw governor after Siminalayi Fubara’s tenure. George-Kelly is seen as a solid Wike loyalist through and through.
Back in 2022, he contested the PDP primary and finished second behind Fubara. After that, President Tinubu appointed him to head the Border Communities Development Agency.
Though no official statement has been released yet, a source inside the coalition claims George-Kelly has already secured the APC nomination and expression of interest forms.
The source made it plain. Out of everyone in the coalition, George-Kelly is the only one who has bought the APC forms so far. And they didn’t mince words saying it couldn’t have happened without the minister’s nod.
That, according to the source, is as good as a blessing from the coalition leader. The thinking is simple. George-Kelly looks destined to clinch the APC ticket.
Chinda’s Candidacy Raises Eyebrows
Things got a little tricky when Chinda’s name started making the rounds. The coalition has been quietly gauging how people feel about both aspirants.
The source described Wike as a political chess player who knows exactly what he’s doing. When news about Chinda broke, the reaction was mixed. Some people within the coalition itself weren’t comfortable with it.
The problem is his origin. Chinda comes from Obio-Akpor, and some stakeholders felt it came off as a selfish move. Beyond that, his name just didn’t strike a chord with many power brokers in the state.
But everything changed when George-Kelly’s news hit the airwaves.
The source painted a clear picture. As soon as the George-Kelly report surfaced, there was celebration across the state. The tension melted away because his name clicked with stakeholders, especially the younger generation.
People are genuinely pleased he’s in the race. The source believes Wike is carefully studying the public reaction to both men and weighing their strengths.
The coalition’s main goal is to put forward a loyal candidate who can connect with everyone, including those currently standing with Governor Fubara.
George-Kelly, even though he hails from the riverine Ijaw area, appears to have that broad appeal they’re looking for. It’s not about tribe anymore. It’s about the person.
The source made it clear that the coalition leader knows what he’s doing. At the end of the day, the coalition will produce candidates for both APC and PDP. Wike will then consult widely before making his final pick.
Fubara Pushes Forward for Second Term
Meanwhile, Governor Siminalayi Fubara is not backing down despite the fallout with his former political godfather. Signs are strong that he’ll go for a second term.
His reelection campaign recently got a big push. APC stakeholders in Rivers State, working with other political figures, bought his nomination and expression of interest forms and handed them over.
The delegation was led by Awaji-Inombek Abiante, who represents Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro in the federal constituency. He said the gesture came from elders and leaders across the state who are focused on what benefits the people.
Abiante said there’s nothing unusual about it. Stakeholders at the national level do the same thing all the time. It’s part of how democracy works. The whole thing points to growing confidence in Fubara’s leadership, even with the political storm around him.
