Rivers 2027: Wike Breaks Silence on Court Verdict, Drops Fresh Challenge to Critics

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has reacted to claims that a court ruling has knocked out his preferred candidates for the 2027 Rivers State elections, insisting that the final verdict lies with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Speaking on the controversy surrounding the recent court judgment in Rivers State, Wike urged political opponents and critics to remain patient until INEC officially publishes the list of candidates in July.
His remarks come after a Rivers State court reinstated the Emeka Beke-led APC leadership and declared the party primaries that produced several candidates, including Wike ally Kingsley Chinda, null and void.
Chinda had emerged as the APC governorship candidate following the withdrawal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara from the race. Other loyalists of the FCT Minister also secured tickets for National and State Assembly positions ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt had earlier upheld a High Court judgment that nullified the congresses which produced Chief Tony Okocha as APC chairman in Rivers State.
Responding to the development, Wike dismissed suggestions that the affected candidates had been permanently removed from the contest. He also took a swipe at APC chieftain Emeka Beke, accusing him of misunderstanding the political and legal realities surrounding the matter.
“In July, INEC will publish the names of candidates of all political parties. Let us wait until then. We are tired of hearing from people who have already lost out,” Wike said.
The Minister also addressed concerns over the recent abduction scare involving schoolchildren in Oyo State, expressing sympathy for victims while cautioning against politicizing security challenges.
According to him, kidnapping and insecurity affect all Nigerians irrespective of profession or location, stressing that efforts to tackle the menace should not be turned into political battles.