The political influence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, appears to tighten further in Rivers State on Monday, after his ally, Sam Ejekwu, emerged as the consensus governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Key Highlights:
- The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State selected Sam Ejekwu as its governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
- Ejekwu emerged through a consensus process and affirmation by delegates across local government areas.
- He is a longtime ally of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and a former commissioner for transport in Rivers State.
- PDP officials described the exercise as peaceful, transparent, and uncontested, with Ejekwu as the sole aspirant.
- His emergence is seen as strengthening Wike’s political influence in both PDP and APC structures in Rivers State.
Ejekwu, a former commissioner for transport in the state and longtime associate of Wike, was declared the PDP consensus candidate following affirmation votes by party delegates across the local government areas of the state.
The exercise was supervised by an electoral committee, headed by Tajudeen Yusuf.
Ejekwu, who hails from Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, previously served twice as caretaker chairman of the council.
Confirming the development, the Rivers PDP spokesman, Kenneth Yowika, said Ejekwu was the sole aspirant in the process and described the exercise as peaceful and transparent.
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Speaking after his emergence, Ejekwu expressed confidence in the PDP’s strength in Rivers State, citing what he described as massive grassroots support and the party’s readiness for the 2027 governorship election.
He also praised the Rainbow Coalition linked to Wike, saying the political alliance could redefine power dynamics in the state and drive what he called progressive political realignment.
Ejekwu’s emergence means the Wike-backed political structure now has strong influence in both the PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, with Kingsley Chinda also reportedly aligned with the coalition in the APC ahead of the next general election.
