The Amanyanabo of Torusarama Piri in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, Asari Dokubo, has publicly declared his intention to work for the reelection of President Bola Tinubu in 2027, describing the move as a personal duty rooted in loyalty and gratitude.

Dokubo made the declaration on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to his palace in Degema. According to reports, the meeting blended tradition, politics, and long standing personal relationships, offering an early glimpse into how alignments ahead of the next general election may be taking shape.

Speaking while receiving the minister, Dokubo said Tinubu had stood by him during one of the most difficult periods of his life, a gesture he said he had neither forgotten nor taken lightly. He stressed that his support for the president was not casual but a deliberate commitment to repay that loyalty.

According to Dokubo, “Like you said, my friend, everything that is going to happen, I will be with you in making sure that my friend, the President succeeds. Everything that I am capable of doing, I will do to make sure that he succeeds.”

Personal history behind political loyalty

Dokubo offered rare personal reflections to explain the depth of his pledge. He recalled that when he first encountered Tinubu decades ago, he was not yet a traditional ruler and had little expectation of ever attaining his current status.

“I was not a traditional ruler when we met in 1992. I never thought I would ever become what I am today,” he said.

According to him, Tinubu’s support during his most challenging period left a lasting impression. “He stood by me in my most difficult period, and it is now my turn to also stand by him and also support him,” Dokubo added.

This emphasis on personal loyalty rather than party ideology offers a window into how political influence often operates in parts of Nigeria, particularly where traditional authority, personal networks, and modern politics intersect. Analysts note that endorsements framed around personal trust can resonate strongly at the community level, even if they do not translate directly into formal campaign structures.

Wike frames visit as outreach, not politicking

Earlier, Wike explained that his visit to Degema was primarily to appreciate the people of the area for their support and to engage them on the reasons he believes Tinubu deserves a second term in office. He also described the visit as an opportunity to extend New Year greetings and to acknowledge the hospitality he has consistently received from Dokubo.

According to the minister, respect for traditional institutions guided his actions. “I know that traditional rulers don’t play politics,” Wike said. However, he added that personal relationships also matter. He described Dokubo as a friend and said it would have been inappropriate to visit the area without paying him a courtesy call and wishing him well for the New Year.

Wike’s remarks appeared carefully calibrated to balance political advocacy with sensitivity to the non partisan role traditionally expected of monarchs. This balancing act has become increasingly important as political actors seek grassroots support without openly dragging royal institutions into partisan disputes.

Why the declaration matters now

Although the 2027 presidential election is still some distance away, early endorsements and signals of loyalty are beginning to surface across the country. Observers say such statements are less about immediate campaigning and more about setting narratives, consolidating alliances, and testing reactions.

In Rivers State, where political loyalties have often been fluid and fiercely contested, Dokubo’s statement carries symbolic weight. As a traditional ruler with historical ties to militant activism in the Niger Delta and a reputation for outspoken positions, his voice commands attention both locally and nationally.

According to political analysts, the meeting also underscores Wike’s continued role as a key power broker within Tinubu’s political orbit. Since joining the federal cabinet as FCT minister, Wike has maintained a visible presence across states, particularly in the South South, where he retains deep networks.

Background context and regional implications

Tinubu’s presidency has been marked by far reaching economic reforms, including fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate adjustments, policies that have sparked debate and hardship but are defended by the administration as necessary long term corrections. As the effects of these reforms continue to shape public opinion, securing early backing from influential figures could become increasingly important for the ruling camp.

In the Niger Delta, issues of resource control, development, and federal presence remain sensitive. Support from traditional rulers and community leaders can influence how national policies are perceived at the grassroots level. Dokubo’s endorsement may therefore help frame Tinubu as a leader with longstanding personal ties to the region, not merely a distant authority figure.

A unique angle often overlooked, according to governance experts, is how personal narratives of loyalty are being used to soften the edges of hard economic conversations. By highlighting past support and shared history, political actors may be attempting to rebuild trust at a time when many citizens are focused on daily economic pressures rather than future elections.

While Dokubo’s pledge does not amount to an official campaign, it signals that informal groundwork for 2027 is already underway. Observers will be watching to see whether similar declarations emerge from other traditional rulers or influential figures, particularly in politically strategic regions.

There is also the question of how such endorsements will be received by local communities, especially younger voters who may be less swayed by elite alliances and more focused on tangibSuggested visuals and data elements

To complement the story, editors may consider images of Wike’s visit to the Degema palace, a map highlighting Degema Local Government Area within Rivers State, or a timeline graphic showing key milestones in Tinubu and Dokubo’s relationship dating back to the early 1990s.

As Nigeria’s political class begins to look beyond immediate governance challenges toward the next electoral cycle, moments like the Degema palace meeting offer insight into the personal relationships and strategic calculations shaping the road to 2027. For Asari Dokubo, the pledge is framed as repayment of loyalty. For Tinubu’s allies, it is an early signal that influential voices are already lining up behind the president’s bid for a second term.le governance outcomes.