Chibuike Ikenga, the spokesperson for the faction of the party led by Tony Okocha, says Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara can only win a second term in office if he mends his relationship with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

Speaking in an interview with Daily Post, Ikenga claimed that Wike's control of the party's structure in the state would work against Fubara and should be carefully considered in his bid for the 2027 governorship elections.

He further stated that Fubara has strained relationships with key personalities who were instrumental in his rise to governorship, emphasizing his relationship with his predecessor as critical.

"...In the PDP that I know in Nigeria and in Rivers State, the FCT Minister and former governor, Wike, is in absolute control of the party’s structures, along with his team. He’s the leader, and you know they produced a governor who was a civil servant. That’s without diminishing Fubara’s status as Governor of Rivers State. He’s my personal friend. And you know, he hasn’t been here before.

"There are people who had confidence in him, tried to develop him, and helped him become governor. He has broken that relationship. It has completely gone south. But if he can do anything to repair it, he has a chance. He has a chance to rebuild his relationship with his benefactors, particularly with the FCT Minister and other party leaders."

Ikenga continued: "If this isn’t resolved within the next three months, it will be very difficult for him to find a way to retain the governorship. However, alignments are still ongoing—very seriously. This is not just about Fubara and Wike. It’s a team effort."

Earlier, Ikenga alleged that former Governor Chibuike Amaechi is a close ally of Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 presidential elections.

He claimed that Amaechi, who is in a strained relationship with the All Progressives Congress (APC), is working "hand in glove" with the former Vice President.

According to Ikenga, Amaechi holds nighttime meetings with individuals he claims are members of the PDP and loyalists of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

He said: "Yes, of course, we know where everybody stands. He’s working hand in glove with Atiku to unseat the President. We’re Rivers people—we know all that’s happening. We know ourselves. Rotimi comes to Rivers State clandestinely, holds meetings at night, and we get snippets of those meetings. Check all his supporters. Those working with him are always aligned with Sim Fubara.

"Emeka Beke, who is claimed to be a functional chairman of the party—which does not exist—is an ally of Rotimi Amaechi."