Wike Names Bola Iyaye as Preferred 2027 Governorship Candidate For Rivers
Wike Names Bola Iyaye as Preferred 2027 Governorship Candidate For Rivers
Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has provided an indication regarding his choice for the 2027 governorship race in Rivers State.
During a thank-you visit to the Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area on January 3, 2026, Wike suggested to the gathered supporters that Honourable Boma Iyaye, currently the Executive Director of Finance and Administration at the NDDC, is his favored candidate for the upcoming gubernatorial election.
Wike commended Iyaye for his enduring loyalty and dedication to their long-term political partnership, hinting that he intends to rectify the mistake he made during the 2023 election cycle.
He openly admitted that backing Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s campaign in 2023 was a significant error, one he is determined to fix in 2027.
Insiders close to the former governor suggest that Wike may sponsor Iyaye under a different political banner, moving away from both the PDP and the APC. This stems from reports that the national leadership of the APC has already decided to adopt Governor Fubara as its candidate for 2027.
However, these reports remain speculative, as no official confirmation has been issued by either the state or national APC leadership.
Rumours suggest that Wike and his associates are eyeing the National Democratic Party (NDP) as a viable alternative to the major parties. He reportedly believes that if there is indeed a move to undermine his political influence in the state, he will migrate his structure to the NDP, where Boma Iyaye would serve as the party’s standard-bearer.
Although these plans are still in the early stages, it is reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and certain influential members of the presidency are unhappy with Wike potentially backing a candidate against the APC’s eventual nominee. Nevertheless, Wike—who views control of the Rivers State governorship as vital to his political survival—appears resolute in his mission to remove Governor Fubara and install a loyalist in 2027.
