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Wike to Dumo Lulu-Briggs: Quit Rivers Governorship Race, Back Someone Else
Nyesom Wike reveals he urged Rivers NDC candidate Dumo Lulu-Briggs to quit the 2027 race and support another aspirant
Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has revealed that he spoke with the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, about his decision to contest the 2027 election.
Also read: NDC Hits Back as Candidates Defect to APC
Wike said he had advised Lulu-Briggs, whom he described as a friend, to reconsider his ambition and support another candidate in the February 2027 governorship election.
The minister disclosed this in a video circulating on Wednesday while discussing the political contest in Rivers State.
According to Wike, he had repeatedly questioned Lulu-Briggs about his decision to continue contesting for the governorship position after several unsuccessful attempts.
“I don’t know the other people contesting in Rivers State, but Dumo has been my friend. I have told him several times, ‘Dumo, how many times will you contest?’” Wike said.
The former Rivers State governor said Lulu-Briggs was approaching 70 and had contested the governorship election more than eight times without emerging victorious.
“You are approaching 70 years old, and you have contested for governor of Rivers State more than eight times. Take your money and sponsor someone else,” he added.
Wike said his advice to the NDC candidate was based on his belief that he could contribute to the political process by supporting another aspirant rather than continuing to seek the governorship himself.
The minister also expressed confidence in the chances of the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate, Kingsley Chinda, in the forthcoming election.
Wike acknowledged that one of the major contenders would eventually emerge victorious, but stressed that the political priority remained President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
The comments come as political activities intensify in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with several parties expected to intensify their campaigns and mobilisation in the state.
Lulu-Briggs is among the politicians seeking to challenge for the Rivers governorship, while the contest is expected to attract significant attention because of the state’s political importance and the influence of major political actors.
Also read: NDC Hits Back as Candidates Defect to APC
Wike, who governed Rivers State from 2015 to 2023, remains an influential figure in the state’s politics despite his current role as FCT minister.
Reps seek federal relief for Edo tanker explosion victims, urging NEMA aid, market rehabilitation and urgent repairs to the Benin-Lagos Expressway.
The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to provide relief materials, financial assistance and rehabilitation support to victims of the deadly petrol tanker explosion at Oluku in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Also read: Wike to Dumo Lulu-Briggs: Quit Rivers Governorship Race, Back Someone Else
The lawmakers also urged the government to repair dangerous sections of the Benin-Lagos Expressway around Oluku to reduce the risk of similar disasters.
The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Omosede Igbinedion, a lawmaker representing a constituency in Edo State, during plenary on Wednesday, October 21.
The Edo tanker explosion occurred on Thursday, October 15, when a petrol tanker reportedly lost control and overturned near Oluku Market, spilling fuel that later ignited and spread to nearby businesses.
According to the motion, the fire caused fatalities and serious injuries while destroying shops, stalls, vehicles, goods and other property.
The damage also left traders and their families facing substantial financial losses and the loss of their livelihoods.
Presenting the motion, Igbinedion said the incident had caused widespread hardship, with some victims losing their savings and facing mounting financial difficulties.
She also raised concerns about reports of severe burns among survivors, some of whom reportedly required emergency treatment at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and other medical facilities.
The lawmaker said the scale of the destruction required federal intervention to complement the Edo State Government’s response.
She commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for visiting the scene and affected victims, as well as pledging to rebuild the damaged market and support traders.
However, she argued that additional assistance was necessary to provide immediate relief, restore livelihoods and help affected families recover from the disaster.
Following the motion’s adoption, the House urged the National Emergency Management Agency to assess the damage and provide relief materials, financial support and rehabilitation assistance to victims.
It also called on the Federal Government to work with the Edo State Government to rebuild the affected market and support the recovery of businesses disrupted by the fire.
The lawmakers further urged the Federal Ministry of Works and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency to inspect and urgently rehabilitate dangerous sections of the Benin-Lagos Expressway around Oluku.
In another resolution, the House directed the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and other relevant agencies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, fuel spillage, evacuation efforts and subsequent fire.
The agencies were also asked to recommend preventive measures, particularly along major highways where fuel tankers operate close to markets, shops and residential communities.
The incident has renewed concerns about the dangers of attempting to collect fuel from overturned tankers. Spilled petrol can ignite rapidly, exposing people nearby to potentially fatal fires and explosions.
Also read: Wike to Dumo Lulu-Briggs: Quit Rivers Governorship Race, Back Someone Else
The House’s resolutions seek to address both the immediate needs of affected residents and the wider safety concerns raised by the disaster. Federal assistance, road repairs and a thorough investigation are expected to support recovery efforts and help reduce the likelihood of similar incidents.
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