Two prominent politicians in Rivers State, Edison Ehie and Boma Iyaye, have dismissed claims that they are planning to contest the 2027 governorship election in the state.
Ehie, the immediate past Chief of Staff to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and Iyaye, the Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), made the clarification in separate statements issued in Port Harcourt.
Ehie reacted to a poster circulating online which featured his image alongside that of former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside.
The poster portrayed Peterside as a governorship candidate and Ehie as running mate under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
The poster carried the inscription “Rivers Must Be Free From the Hands of One Man,” with a sub-theme reading “We Must Take Back Our Rivers 2027.”
In a statement he personally signed, Ehie described the poster as mischievous and misleading, insisting he had no involvement in any such political arrangement.
“My attention has been drawn to a mischievous and desperate poster circulating in the public space, falsely suggesting that I am aligned with a so-called agenda to ‘free Rivers from the hands of one man’ under a proposed 2027 ticket on the platform of the African Democratic Congress with Dr Dakuku Peterside as governor and me as deputy governor,” he said.
Ehie said the narrative was false and politically motivated, adding that he remained loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“Let it be stated clearly, firmly, and without ambiguity: this narrative is not only false, but it is also a calculated act of political propaganda designed to mislead the public, sow discord, and undermine the unity and stability currently being strengthened under the leadership of His Excellency, Siminalayi Fubara,” he said.
He also insisted that he remained committed to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and would continue to support the governor’s leadership in the state.
“I remain a committed and loyal member of the All Progressives Congress and stand firmly and unequivocally with Governor Siminalayi Fubara,” he added.
Ehie further described the use of his name on the poster as unauthorised and misleading, urging the public to disregard it.
In a related development, Boma Iyaye, an ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, also denied rumours that he intends to contest the Rivers governorship election in 2027.
Iyaye is currently serving as Executive Director, Finance and Administration at the NDDC.
Responding to the speculation, he said reports suggesting that he had declared a governorship ambition and received endorsement from Wike were inaccurate.
“My attention has been drawn to reports circulating on social media suggesting that I have declared an ambition for the office of the governor of Rivers State and have been endorsed as a preferred candidate by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike,” Iyaye said.
“I wish to respectfully clarify that these reports are inaccurate and do not reflect the true position.”
Iyaye stated that his priority remains his current responsibilities at the NDDC.
“At this time, my full attention and commitment remain focused on my responsibilities as the Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the Niger Delta Development Commission,” he said.
He emphasised that he had not declared any governorship ambition nor received endorsement from any political figure.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I have not made any formal declaration regarding a governorship ambition, nor have I received any endorsement from the minister or any other individual as suggested,” Iyaye added.
Iyaye urged members of the public and the media to rely on verified information and disregard speculations about his political ambition.