COMMENTARY
2027 Presidency: Pro-Fubara Rivers Youths Signal Conditional Support for Tinubu to Block Wike’s Influence
...says “We Don’t Love PBAT But Because Of Fubara We’ll Support Him To Ensure Wike Doesn’t Have His Way”
An activist, Saviour Imeable Oscar, has disclosed that a section of Rivers State youths loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara are prepared to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, despite reservations about the President’s leadership style.
Oscar made the assertion in a video shared by Symfoni TV, where he offered insight into the evolving political calculations among youths in the state amid the deepening rift between Governor Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
According to Oscar, the proposed support for President Tinubu is not driven by admiration or approval of his administration, but by a strategic decision rooted in loyalty to Governor Fubara and a determination to prevent Wike from regaining political dominance in Rivers State.
He explained that many Rivers youths remain dissatisfied with President Tinubu’s leadership approach and do not feel a personal connection or affection toward him.
However, he noted that political realities on ground may compel them to align with the President ahead of 2027 as a means of safeguarding the current state leadership and resisting external interference.
Oscar further alleged that the grievances of Rivers youths stem partly from their experiences during Wike’s tenure as governor, which he claimed left many young people without jobs and meaningful opportunities.
In Oscar’s words:
“We do not have love for Mr President, we do not like Mr President Bola Tinubu’s leadership style, but because of His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara some of us can decide to support him just to make sure that Nyesom Wike do not have his way in Rivers State. Because during his tenure as governor of Rivers State a lot of youths remained jobless”
The comments highlight the complex and shifting political alliances in Rivers State, where loyalty to local leadership, rather than ideological alignment with national figures, may play a decisive role in shaping electoral outcomes ahead of the 2027 general elections.