By Jude Opara
Political tensions in Rivers State appear set to intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, with former Ikwerre Local Government Area Chairman, Samuel Okechukwu Nwanosike, warning that the contest against former Governor Rotimi Amaechi will be fiercely fought.
Nwanosike, a prominent loyalist of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, made the remarks in a video circulating online, while questioning Amaechi’s political record and his support among the people of Ikwerre.
The former council chairman argued that Ikwerre people had played a significant role in Amaechi’s political rise, but had not received commensurate benefits from his years in public office.
He recalled that Amaechi served twice in the Rivers State House of Assembly, governed the state for two terms and later served as a federal minister for two terms, with the backing of people from Ikwerre.
Nwanosike alleged that Amaechi subsequently fell out with political associates and failed to adequately advance the interests of the Ikwerre people.
“Amaechi was in the House of Assembly two times, Ikwerre people supported him to be governor two times and he was a minister for two tenures,” he said.
He also questioned the legitimacy of the ongoing leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), urging Amaechi’s political camp to await the Supreme Court’s decision on which faction should be recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Nwanosike warned that the political contest ahead would be particularly intense, using the phrase “E go red” to underscore the expected level of confrontation.
“We will bring the battle to their bedroom, not the street,” he said.
His remarks come amid heightened political realignment in Rivers State, where Wike and Amaechi remain influential figures as political parties position themselves for the 2027 elections.
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