Ahead of the 2027 presidential elections, a group loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, the Rivers Ijaw Peoples Congress (RIPC) has begun consultations with relevant stakeholders across the country.

The group led by the former Senator representing Rivers East in the National Assembly, George Sekibo on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 met with the leadership of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.  

The meetings aim at soliciting the support of the two key Ijaw groups to neutralize growing resentment against the FCT Minister in Rivers State due to the ongoing face-off between him and his erstwhile political godson and incumbent Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara

Knowledgeable sources hint Kristina Reports that these meetings are the first steps towards relaunching his bid for the presidency in 2027 early in the day.

Addressing the President of the INC, Professor Benjamin Okaba, Sekibo said the FCT Minister deserves commendation for fulfilling his promises in 2014 and 2018 to have somebody of Ijaw extraction succeed him, stressing that the Wike’s efforts culminated in the long-awaited political recognition of the Ijaw extraction after 24 years.

The former Senator drew the attention of the INC leadership to the divisive tactics employed by certain political figures, particularly, amongst the Ijaws in Rivers State, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts from the parent body of the Ijaw ethnic nationality to promote peace amidst the current political turmoil in the State.

Speaking at the meeting with the Executive Committee of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) later at the same venue, the Executive Director, Finance and Administration at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Boma Iyaye said the purpose of the visit was to foster a peaceful political climate and showcase the Ijaws as a people characterized by gratitude and unity.

Responding, President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Benjamin Okaba stated that the Ijaw nation remains one indivisible entity, stressing that its invincibility and indomitability lies in its unity, pointing out that other ethnic nationalities should appreciate the support the Ijaws have accorded them.

He noted that it was important that the Ijaws do not allow political gladiators to sow seeds of discord amongst them, asserting that Siminalayi Fubara, an Ijaw son was currently the Governor of Rivers State and all Ijaw sons and daughter must rally around him to succeed.

On his part, President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Jonathan Lokpobiri assured the delegation of the IYC’s continued commitment to engaging with stakeholders across the Ijaw nation, home and abroad, to mitigate the divisive tendencies that have emerged among the Ijaws in Rivers State.

The delegation of the Rivers Ijaw People’s Congress included several notable personalities, respected leaders, and esteemed individuals, all united in their commitment to push through with the ambition of the FCT Minister to succeed President Bola Tinubu come 2027.

Insider sources indicated to Kristina Reports that this move by the RIPC marks a significant step towards addressing the waning relevance of the former Rivers State Governor in the wake of the rift between him and Governor Fubara with a view to clearing the way for reasserting his political relevance in Rivers State ahead of 2027.

Kristina Reports reliably learnt that in the days coming, several other groups both ethnic, political and professional groups would be activated across the country to proactively ramp up support for the FCT Minister, especially, with the accolades poured on him by President Tinubu at the commissioning of the N20 Arterial Road in Abuja on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.