Race for 2027: APC Set to “Sacrifice” Rivers Assembly Speaker as Presidency Grows Wary of Minister’s Moves

As the countdown to Nigeria’s 2027 general elections quietly gathers momentum, complex political calculations are already reshaping alliances, loyalties and power structures across key states. One of such states is Rivers, long regarded as one of the most politically strategic and volatile territories in the country.

Fresh revelations now suggest that the All Progressives Congress (APC) may be preparing to “sacrifice” the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Martin Amaewhule, as part of far-reaching political re-engineering aimed at securing the state for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

According to insider information obtained by The Neighbourhood Newspaper, the unfolding plan is rooted in high-level negotiations and internal assessments within the ruling party and the Presidency.

A source familiar with the intricate dealings, described as consistently accurate in past disclosures, revealed that the decision to sideline Amaewhule is not accidental but a deliberate move tied to the shifting fortunes of his political benefactor, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Though the situation remains fluid, the source disclosed that APC leaders are leaving nothing to chance in Rivers State, a battleground that has historically swung elections and influenced national outcomes. The party, according to the source, is determined to eliminate any internal risk that could undermine President Tinubu’s chances in 2027, even if that means cutting off long-standing allies whose loyalty is now considered uncertain.

At the heart of the unfolding drama is Hon. Martin Amaewhule, widely regarded as a protégé of Minister Wike. Amaewhule rose to prominence during Wike’s tenure as governor of Rivers State and has remained a key figure in the pro-Wike political structure within the state legislature. However, sources now suggest that his continued presence as Speaker has become a liability rather than an asset to the APC’s long-term plans.

The insider source claimed that Minister Wike’s political standing within the Tinubu administration has suffered a sharp decline in recent months. Once seen as a powerful and indispensable political asset, particularly due to his role in weakening the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2023 elections, Wike is now said to be facing growing distrust at the highest levels of government.

The source disclosed that Wike’s standing before President Tinubu has suffered a sharp decline in recent months, leading to growing mistrust within the Presidency. Central to this suspicion, according to the source, is the Minister’s alleged push to have the National Democratic Party (NDP), a de-listed political party, re-registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). While the full motives behind the move remain unclear, it reportedly raised red flags within the Presidency and among influential power brokers close to President Tinubu.

“Maybe Mr. Wike thought he could walk around it in absolute secrecy, he did not realise that every bit of his movements were monitored. Or maybe he assumed that he was invisible and that his actions were also invisible,”the source said.

This alleged attempt to revive the NDP reportedly triggered suspicion that Wike might be positioning himself for an independent political future or creating a fallback platform outside APC control. Such a move, insiders say, is considered unacceptable at a time when party unity and discipline are being closely guarded in preparation for the next electoral cycle.

As a consequence, those perceived as Wike’s loyalists, including Amaewhule, have come under scrutiny. The source indicated that APC leaders believe retaining the current Speaker could compromise the party’s broader strategy in Rivers State, particularly its relationship with Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Interestingly, the unfolding plan appears to favour Governor Fubara, despite his own turbulent political history with his predecessor, Wike. According to the insider, the APC at the national level has already “secured” Fubara’s second-term ambition, effectively granting him what was described as a “first right of refusal” for the party’s ticket ahead of the next governorship election.

“The Presidency prefers to work with Governor Sim Fubara except the Rivers State Governor declines the first right of refusal, his ticket to seek re-election is already in his pockets. We cannot risk President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, and allowing the current Speaker will jeopardise the party’s plans for Rivers,”the source disclosed.

This revelation suggests a significant realignment within Rivers politics, with APC seemingly choosing Fubara as its central ally in the state while gradually distancing itself from Wike’s political machinery. The decision underscores the strategic importance of Rivers State, not just in terms of electoral votes but also its economic relevance as an oil-producing hub.

Part of the plan, the source added, involves quietly sourcing a replacement for Amaewhule within the Rivers State House of Assembly—someone perceived as more reliable, less controversial, and firmly aligned with the Presidency’s objectives. Once such a replacement is secured, the move to remove or sideline the current Speaker is expected to follow.

“When once we are done recruiting his replacement, we shall make the move,” the source said. “Our goal will be to secure Rivers State for President Tinubu, and of course Governor Fubara shall be a primary beneficiary in this.”

While neither the APC leadership nor the Presidency has officially commented on these claims, political observers note that the developments fit into a broader pattern of early manoeuvring ahead of 2027. Across the country, parties are reassessing alliances, pruning perceived liabilities, and consolidating control in key states long before the official campaign season begins.

For Amaewhule, the unfolding scenario could mark a dramatic fall from grace, especially if the reported plans materialise. For Wike, it signals a potential erosion of influence at the centre, raising questions about his future political relevance within the ruling party.

As Rivers State once again finds itself at the centre of national political intrigue, one thing appears clear: the race for 2027 has begun in earnest, and no political figure—no matter how powerful—is immune to sacrifice in the high-stakes game of power.

Source: The Neighbourhood Newspaper