To Win Anything in Rivers, You Must Go Through Wike, Victor Giadom Tells Fubara

•Gov gets more support ahead 2027 elections

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

National Vice Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), South-South, Hon. Victor Giadom, has told Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State that he must have to go through Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to win anything in the state. Giadom stated this yesterday during Wike’s Thank You Visit to the people of Gokana Local Government Area.

Describing Wike as a “dependable leader” in Rivers politics, Giadom assured the minister that there would be no political force in Gokana other than Wike.

He stated, “I guarantee, on behalf of my brothers, that the Gokana people are for Wike and Tinubu and nobody will challenge Wike’s influence in Gokana.

“Gokana is a no-go-area for anybody, even Governor Fubara. For him to win anything in Gokana, he must pass through Wike.”

Magnus Abe, a former senator, who represented Rivers South East, also said the people of Gokana had already chosen their friends – Wike and Tinubu.

Abe said, “Wike is a leader that unites and that is why we are united. If you follow Wike, you will not go home empty-handed.

“The Ogoni people are with you and we will not go home empty-handed. Please, tell Tinubu not to bother coming to Gokana to campaign. We are for him.”

Deputy Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Dumle Maol, assured Wike that the people of Gokana would be with him every step of the way.

“Anywhere you go we will go,” he said.

Earlier, Chairman of Gokana local council, Mr Confidence Deko, pledged total support to the minister, saying, “Wherever you go we will go.

“This local government is for you because of what you have done for us. Please, tell Tinubu that the people of Bokana are appreciative of him. The time for payback is near and we will do the needful.”

Responding, Wike explained that the visit was to say “thank you” to Gokana people for their good deeds and support over the years.

He commended the people for the display of unity of purpose for Tinubu, saying, “When you are united, good things will come.”

He asked the people to be patient and listen to their leaders for direction on where to go when the time comes.

The minister promised to continue to work with the people, adding that APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers were working under the umbrella of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“That is why you see PDP and APC members here,” he said.

Fubara Gets More Support Ahead of 2027

Meanwhile, in spite of the alleged reoccurring disagreement between supporters of Wike and Fubara, some groups in the state swore to ensure the re-election of the governor in 2027.

Speaking yesterday, during the opening of the 2025 Eneka Day Celebration, President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, pledged the Emeka people’s continued support for Fubara’s administration.

Azuta-Mbata further declared the community’s readiness to back the governor’s re-election bid in the 2027 general election.

He  commended the appointment of Eze Chike Worlu Wodo, head of the Apara clan, as Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Community Caretaker Committee (CTC), Lawson Chukwu, reaffirmed the community’s loyalty to the Fubara administration.

Chukwu thanked the governor for elevating their traditional stool to Second-class status and for the ongoing flyover project, while requesting the construction of internal roads as well as drainage systems to address perennial flooding.

He pledged Eneka’s total support for the governor’s second-term ambition.

Chairman of the occasion, George Chibuozu, described the celebration as a strong platform for advancing human capital and infrastructural development in the community.

Earlier, Fubara assured the people of Eneka of his administration’s commitment to restoring critical road infrastructure and preserving the community’s traditional heritage.

Speaking on the theme, “Unity: Our Strength for Progress,” Fubara urged the people to remain united, stressing that unity is vital for attracting meaningful government intervention and sustaining development.

He acknowledged the deplorable state of internal roads in the community, attributing the damage largely to the movement of heavy-duty trucks diverted during the construction of flyovers in the area.

While acknowledging the community’s request for the construction of over 100 internal roads, the governor pledged to embark on a reasonable intervention that would focus on restoring Eneka’s major roads.

He issued a directive to Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs to commence the formal process for the elevation of Eneka’s traditional stool from Second-class to First-class status.

He described the move as a recognition of the community’s heritage and importance.

The governor cautioned the community against actions capable of weakening their collective strength, reiterating that unity makes it easier for government support to be delivered without internal wrangling.