Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has broken his silence on the ongoing political developments in Rivers State, confirming a strategic political agreement brokered by President Bola Tinubu and endorsing House of Representatives member Kingsley Chinda for the 2027 Rivers State governorship race under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking to journalists on Monday during an inspection tour of ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja, the former Rivers State governor addressed Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s recent withdrawal from the governorship race. Wike disclosed that Fubara’s exit was rooted in a cross-party understanding aimed at resolving the state's political impasse.

The Political Pact

According to Wike, the agreement mandated that the Rivers State House of Assembly drop its impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara in exchange for the governor waiving his bid for a second term in office.

While Governor Fubara ultimately withdrew from the contest, Wike criticized his initial decision to purchase the APC nomination forms, labeling it a breach of political trust and an disregard for the President's mediation efforts.

"In the first place, he ought not to have collected the form because the agreement was reached that the impeachment should be dropped, while he should also not talk about a second tenure," Wike stated. "By collecting the form first, he didn’t show signs of gentlemanship... We thought that Mr. President had been intervening severally and pleading with the legislature not to continue with impeachment."

Endorsement of Kingsley Chinda

The FCT Minister expressed strong confidence in the candidacy of Kingsley Chinda, the current House of Representatives member and former Minority Leader of the People's Democratic Party (PDP). Wike noted that Chinda’s extensive legislative and executive experience made him the ideal candidate for the APC ticket.

"Everybody knows that Kingsley Chinda is the material. He’s quite experienced," Wike said. "He has worked with the executive and now in the legislature... I’m sure that he must have been approached by the ruling All Progressives Congress to join them and then get the ticket."

FCT Infrastructure Inspection

Wike’s comments coincided with an extensive inspection of major infrastructure projects nearing completion across the Federal Capital Territory. The minister expressed satisfaction with the progress and quality of the works, noting that several key projects are scheduled for commissioning.

The inspected sites included:

• The Renewed Hope City in Kassara

• The Old Keffi Road expansion in Dei-Dei

• The Airport Road-to-Kuje corridor (executed by Arab Contractors)

• The first phase of the Kuje-to-Gwagwalada road (executed by Gilmour)

• The City Gate project (executed by Julius Berger)

Wike highly commended the contractors for adhering to timelines, specifically highlighting the City Gate project, which he identified as an initiative of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

"When you have a good woman who means well for the administration of the husband... this is her brainchild," Wike remarked. He added that construction firm Julius Berger is on track to hand over the project between late May and the first week of June.