Dokubo–Wike Follow-Up: Asari Dokubo Takes New Position as Wike Pledges to Resign if Tinubu Loses Rivers, FCT

Fresh political statements by Niger Delta figure Asari Dokubo and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike have added a new dimension to the political realignment ahead of Nigeria's 2027 presidential election.

The latest developments are particularly notable because of the two men's changing political relationship and their differing positions over the Rivers State political crisis in recent years.

While Dokubo has reportedly expressed support for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and its national leader, former Bayelsa State governor Seriake Dickson, he has simultaneously distanced himself from Peter Obi's presidential ambition. Separately, Wike has publicly tied his continued service as FCT minister to the performance of President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory in 2027.

Dokubo reportedly backs NDC and Dickson

A September 30 report by Akelicious said Dokubo declared support for the NDC and Dickson but specifically rejected support for Peter Obi, who the report identified as the party's presidential candidate. Dokubo was quoted as saying that his support was for Dickson and the party rather than Obi's presidential ambition.

The report also attributed strong allegations against Obi to Dokubo. Those allegations are Dokubo's claims and have not been independently established by the reporting cited here, so they should not be presented as proven facts.

Importantly, the NDC-related report has not been independently corroborated in the major national sources located in this search. Therefore, the safest description at this stage is that Dokubo was reported to have made the declaration, rather than treating the political alignment as conclusively established.

That distinction matters because Dokubo's political statements have attracted considerable attention in the Niger Delta, particularly when they concern Rivers State and the 2027 election.

Dokubo's position is notable because of his history with Wike. Dokubo and Wike have not always appeared politically aligned.

During the Rivers political crisis in 2024, Dokubo publicly criticised Wike's influence in the state and accused President Tinubu of allowing the FCT minister to exert excessive influence over Rivers politics.

In an interview reported by TheCable in October 2024, Dokubo said he was disappointed with what he described as Tinubu's support for Wike in the dispute involving Wike and then-Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Punch also reported in May 2024 that Dokubo accused Wike of "playing god" in the Rivers political crisis.

That history makes Dokubo's subsequent relationship with Wike particularly significant.

The relationship appeared to change in 2026

In January 2026, Wike visited Dokubo at his palace in Degema, Rivers State.

Following that meeting, Dokubo publicly announced his support for Tinubu's 2027 re-election bid. Premium Times reported that Dokubo said Tinubu had stood by him during a difficult period and that he considered it his turn to support the president.

Wike, meanwhile, said his visit was intended partly to thank people in the community for their support and encourage them to support Tinubu in 2027.

Punch similarly reported that Dokubo pledged his support for Tinubu during Wike's visit.

The January meeting therefore represented a significant contrast with Dokubo's much more critical position toward Wike during the earlier Rivers crisis. Dokubo later addressed speculation about Wike

Source: Phoneix browser