Two allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who are also members of the Rainbow Coalition, have been tipped to contest the Rivers State governorship election in 2027.
Alabo Dakorinama George-Kelly is expected to run on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), while the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, is expected to contest on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
It was gathered that the duo were advised by leaders of the Rainbow Coalition to purchase the governorship forms of the two parties.
The reported declaration by George-Kelly was said to have triggered excitement among some stakeholders in Rivers State.
Sources who spoke with Vanguard said the stakeholders were pleased that George-Kelly, who is from the Kalabari Ijaw axis of the state, had joined the governorship race.
George-Kelly is regarded as a political loyalist of Wike and a member of the coalition. His choice, if confirmed, would align with calls in some quarters that an Ijaw candidate should succeed Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
George-Kelly contested the PDP governorship primary in 2022 and came second behind Fubara.
He was later appointed Director-General of the Border Communities Development Agency by President Bola Tinubu.
Although there was no official confirmation as of press time, a source within the Rainbow Coalition claimed George-Kelly had purchased the APC nomination and expression of interest forms.
The source said, “Among all the coalition members, George-Kelly is the only one that has purchased the APC forms and we know that he would not have done so without the consent of the Minister.
“This is a sign that he has the blessings of the coalition leader and will eventually emerge as the candidate of the APC for the election.”
Chinda Report Caused Concern
The source added that the coalition was monitoring public reactions to both George-Kelly and Chinda.
He said, “This is where this game gets interesting. The leader of the coalition is a political sage and master strategist. When the report of Chinda emerged, he weighed the reaction of members of the public.
“That report created some storm even in the coalition because Chinda hails from Obio-Akpor, and some people read the development as selfish. Apart from that, the name did not resonate with many stakeholders in the state.”
According to the source, the reported entrance of George-Kelly into the race calmed tension among stakeholders.
“But immediately the report of George-Kelly on APC platform broke out, there was jubilation across the state. The report calmed all nerves because the name resonated among all the stakeholders especially the youths.
“People are happy that George-Kelly has joined the governorship race. We believe that Wike is receiving reports about the duo and analysing their personalities,” the source said.
The source said the coalition’s aim was to present a loyal candidate who would appeal to stakeholders across the state, including those aligned with Fubara.
He added, “One thing is clear. The objective is to present a loyal candidate that will appeal to all stakeholders including those who are standing with Governor Fubara.
“But George-Kelly despite hailing from the riverine Ijaw area of the state, seems to have the expected mass appeal. It is not about ethnicity, it is more about personality.
“We know that the leader of the coalition knows what he is doing. One thing is sure, the coalition will produce the candidates for the APC and the PDP in the state and the leader will engage in consultations to select one of them.”
