Rivers State’s former political landscape is at the center of remarks by Nyesom Wike, who says he and members of the defunct G-5 governors intentionally prevented Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi from winning Rivers in the 2023 election. Wike frames the decision as deliberate rather than accidental, and links it to efforts to shape outcomes in the South-South.
In interviews reported by multiple outlets, Wike explains the strategy was aimed at weakening the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the region. He says the group allowed Obi to win in some places but insisted that Obi would not win in Rivers, describing the move as preventing a “signal” that could influence other areas.
The outlets also note that the comments come amid ongoing dispute over Rivers’ 2023 election results. Obi has claimed he won the state, while critics have alleged that the vote was manipulated to favor the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The reports present Wike’s account as part of the continuing debate over who controlled the outcome in Rivers.
