Wike Applauds Tinubu as Rivers Sons Secure Top Oil Regulatory Roles

In a significant political development for the Niger Delta, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has hailed President Bola Tinubu’s latest round of federal appointments as a clear sign of “unprecedented recognition” for Rivers State. Speaking on Monday, January 5, 2026, during a high-profile “thank you” visit to Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area, Wike celebrated the nominations of Senator Magnus Abe and Chief Kenneth Kobani to the boards of Nigeria’s premier petroleum regulatory bodies.

The nominations, which were transmitted to the Senate for expedited confirmation, see Senator Magnus Abe designated as the Board Chairman of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). Abe, a seasoned two-term senator who previously served on the board of the NNPC, currently leads the National Agency for the Great Green Wall. His appointment to the NUPRC—the body responsible for overseeing the exploration and production of Nigeria’s vast oil reserves—is being viewed as a major strategic win for the state’s political heavyweight camp.

Joining the federal roster is Chief Kenneth Kobani, who has been nominated as a non-executive member of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). Kobani, a former Minister of State for Trade and ex-Secretary to the Rivers State Government under Wike’s governorship, brings a wealth of administrative experience to the agency tasked with regulating the nation’s refinery and fuel distribution sectors. Wike described the dual nominations as a testament to the President’s “genuine love” and commitment to honoring political agreements.

“Just as we were arriving, we received news of two major nominations for Rivers—Abe and Kobani,” Wike told a jubilant crowd of supporters. The Minister emphasized that the current administration has broken historic records in its inclusion of Rivers indigenous talent in national governance. He maintained that these appointments demonstrate that President Tinubu “keeps his promises,” a sentiment he used to rally the local population ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Minister’s visit to Ogu-Bolo is part of a broader statewide tour aimed at consolidating his political structure following a year of intense internal friction within the state’s leadership. Wike urged the people to remain steadfast in their loyalty to the Tinubu administration, asserting that “the truth will set us free” and that the state’s political future is now intrinsically linked to the federal government’s success.

As the Senate prepares to screen the 21-member list of nominees for the two regulatory giants, the focus in Rivers State remains on the shifting alliances. With Abe and Kobani positioned at the heart of the nation’s most lucrative sector, Wike’s influence appears to be reaching new heights in the federal capital. The Minister concluded his address by reaffirming that Rivers State will be a decisive battleground for Tinubu’s reelection bid, fueled by the tangible rewards of the current partnership.