Two prominent politicians in Rivers State, Edison Ehie and Boma Iyaye, have denied harbouring governorship ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections.
Ehie, the immediate past Chief of Staff to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and Iyaye, an ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, made the denials in separate statements issued in Port Harcourt.
Ehie was reacting to a poster bearing his image alongside that of former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dakuku Peterside, portraying them as governorship candidate and running mate on the platform of the African Democratic Congress ahead of 2027.
The poster, titled “Rivers Must Be Free From the Hands of One Man,” with the sub-theme “We Must Take Back Our Rivers 2027,” suggested a joint ticket involving Peterside and Ehie.
In a statement he personally signed, Ehie dissociated himself from the poster, describing it as mischievous, false, and a calculated attempt to mislead the public and create division.
He reaffirmed his loyalty to the All Progressives Congress and pledged continued support for Governor Fubara, stressing that he had neither endorsed nor consented to any such political arrangement. Ehie urged the public to disregard the poster, insisting that Rivers State was not in need of “rescue” but of unity and sustained governance.
In a related development, Iyaye also dismissed reports linking him to a 2027 governorship bid and claims that he had been endorsed by Wike.
The Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the Niger Delta Development Commission said the reports were inaccurate and did not reflect his position, noting that his focus remains on his current responsibilities at the commission.
Iyaye further stated that he had not made any formal declaration regarding a governorship ambition and had not received endorsement from Wike or any other individual.
He urged the public and media practitioners to rely on verified information and disregard speculation about his political plans.
The denials come amid growing political permutations in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with Wike recently stating that he has not endorsed any candidate for the race.
