The battle for the political soul of Rivers State ahead of the 2027 presidential election took a dramatic turn on Wednesday as businessman and social commentator, Isaac Fayose, challenged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to a ₦1 billion and Rolls-Royce wager.
He insisted that the National Democratic Coalition (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, would overwhelmingly defeat President Bola Tinubu in the state.
Fayose’s challenge came less than 24 hours after Wike declared during his monthly media chat in Abuja that Tinubu was the only presidential candidate who has the ability to win in Rivers State in the next general election.
In a video that has since gone viral on social media, Fayose dismissed Wike’s prediction, maintaining that Obi would secure no fewer than 72 per cent of the votes in Rivers State.
According to him, he was ready to stake his Rolls-Royce and ₦1 billion on the outcome if Wike was equally confident enough to match the bet.
“Minister Wike, I’m ready to bet with you—Rolls-Royce for Rolls-Royce and ₦1 billion. Let’s deposit the stake in court. The NDC presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, will win Rivers State with 72 per cent of the votes.”
The businessman further declared that Obi’s victory in Rivers State would become obvious long before the final declaration of results.
“Peter Obi will win before 12 noon on election day in Rivers State by 72 per cent. I repeat, Mr Minister, Peter Obi will win Rivers State by 72 per cent before 12 noon.”
Fayose, however, said his prediction was based on what he described as a free, fair and transparent election.
He alleged that during the 2023 presidential election in Rivers State, there was manipulation through the alteration of results, claiming that Obi was denied victory despite enjoying overwhelming support from voters.
According to him, if the 2027 presidential election is conducted without interference, rigging or alteration of results, Obi would comfortably secure about 72 per cent of the votes in Rivers State.
He challenged Wike to prove his confidence in Tinubu’s popularity by accepting the wager and depositing both the luxury vehicles and the ₦1 billion stake in court ahead of the election.
The challenge has sparked widespread reactions online, adding fresh fuel to the growing political contest over Rivers State ahead of the 2027 polls.
During his monthly media chat on Tuesday, Wike had confidently declared that Rivers State was no longer available to any presidential candidate other than Tinubu.
“If anybody is counting Rivers, go now and cancel it. The only person that can count Rivers is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I’m not talking because I want to talk; I’m talking as a political realist because I know my people,” the former Rivers State governor said.
Wike disclosed that politicians across party lines had formed a broad coalition to deliver Rivers State to Tinubu in 2027.
Beyond the election debate, Fayose also criticised the FCT Minister over the continued roaming of cattle on major roads within Abuja.
He criticized after Wike’s response during the media chat when asked what the Federal Capital Territory Administration was doing to address the development.
Instead of announcing specific measures, Wike described the issue as one of national security.
“I won’t talk about cows; it’s national security. Tell the NSA and all of them to sit down and know what they will do about it. Anyway, let’s leave it there.”
Fayose accused the minister of haven failed to confront a growing public safety concern, arguing that the FCT Administration should take responsibility and not leave the matter entirely to security agencies.