Senator Ayodele Arise, a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, expressed confidence that the six‑month emergency rule imposed on Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu will not harm his party’s prospects in the 2027 elections. Arise, who represented the Ekiti North Senatorial District from 2007 to 2011, made the remarks while addressing journalists in Abuja on Sunday.
He emphasized that the President’s intervention was necessary to prevent Rivers State from descending into chaos, citing escalating political tensions and violent incidents that had threatened vital infrastructure before the emergency rule. The former lawmaker acknowledged that the situation in Rivers had become critical, requiring swift action to restore order and protect key national assets, including the oil and gas sector. He noted that Rivers remains a strategic component of Nigeria’s economy, and maintaining peace there is essential for the nation’s economic stability.
Regarding the political implications, Arise dismissed suggestions that the emergency rule would cost President Tinubu support in Rivers. He highlighted the APC’s strengthened grassroots structures, pointing to the party’s performance in the 2024 presidential election and recent local government polls. Arise also stressed the roles of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike in ensuring peace and stability, acknowledging their influence on grassroots politics ahead of the 2027 elections.
The emergency rule, proclaimed by President Tinubu, suspended Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and members of the State Assembly for six months. Former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ibok‑Ete Ibas (Rtd) was appointed sole administrator to oversee the state during that period. At the end of the six months, the suspension was lifted and all elected officials were reinstated, marking a significant development in Rivers State’s political landscape and paving the way for renewed political activity.
As Nigeria looks toward the 2027 elections, the APC’s ability to maintain support in Rivers State will be closely watched. The party’s grassroots structures and the actions of key figures such as Governor Fubara and Minister Wike are likely to play crucial roles in shaping the outcome.
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