By Dennis Okechukwu
Social media personality Isaac Fayose has challenged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to a high-stakes wager over the outcome of the 2027 presidential election in Rivers State.
Fayose, in a video circulating on social media, predicted that former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi would secure 72 per cent of the votes in Rivers State if the election is conducted in a free and fair manner.
The challenge followed Wike’s recent assertion that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would comfortably win Rivers State in the next presidential election.
Declaring confidence in his prediction, Fayose proposed a bet involving Rolls-Royce cars and ₦1 billion, urging the FCT minister to formalise the wager by depositing the stake in court.
“Minister Wike, I’m ready to bet with you—Rolls-Royce for Rolls-Royce and ₦1 billion. Let’s deposit the stake in court. Mr. Peter Obi will win Rivers State with 72 per cent of the votes,” Fayose said.
His comments have added to the growing political debate ahead of the 2027 general election, with Rivers State expected to remain one of the country’s key electoral battlegrounds.
The remarks also generated widespread reactions on social media, where supporters and critics expressed differing views on the likelihood of Obi winning the state. While some agreed with Fayose’s prediction, others argued that Wike’s political influence in Rivers could prove decisive.
Neither Wike nor Obi had publicly responded to Fayose’s challenge as of the time of filing this report. The outcome of the 2027 election, political observers say, will ultimately depend on voter sentiment, party dynamics and the conduct of the electoral process.