2027: It’s my turn to stand by Tinubu – Asari Dokubo

… decries poaching, exploitation of Nigeria’s fish stock, marine resources by foreigners

Asari Dokubo, Amanyanabo of Torusarama Piri, in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, has assured Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of his support for President Bola Tinubu’s likely bid for a second term.

Dokubo, former Niger Delta militant leader, now natural ruler of Torusarama Piri, was speaking on Wednesday January 7, 2026 when the FCT Minister paid him a courtesy visit in his palace.

Wike was in the local government area in continuation of his ‘Thank You’ visit to his supporters across the 23 LGAs of Rivers State.

Asari, who said Tinubu stood by him at a difficult time in his life, said 2027 will be an opportunity to repay such debt, while assuring that he will be part of efforts leading to Tinubu’s re-election.

“Like you said, my friend (Wike), everything that is going to happen, I will be with you in making sure that my friend (Tinubu) continues in office. Everything that I am capable of doing, I will do to make sure that my friend … (gets re-elected).

“I was not a traditional ruler when we met in 1992, I never thought I would ever become what I am today. We have had that closeness and I think that we are going to use it. He stood by me in my most difficult period and it is now my turn to also stand by him. I have always said, no matter what, it is now my turn to also stand by him,” Asari Dokubo said.

The monarch lamented the growing incidence of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in Nigeria’s territorial waters, .particularly in the Kalabari area of Rivers State.

He said illegal fishing has denied the state and country income that would have accrued, as well as the opportunity of taking full advantage of the Blue Economy.

“I find more than 100 vessels of different nationalities taking our fishes away. Indian vessels, vessels from China, Russia, different countries, Greece. I don’t know who collects the revenue from these vessels. But they are there every day. They don’t even have anchorage within our territory. So they are just taking our fishes away, no anchorage. And we don’t know where these vessels come from, who authorized them to be mining this rare head.

“So, a lot of revenue that ought to accrue to the state are not accruing to the statte. And I think that we should look at these things very well, because it will multiply the revenue accruing to Rivers State once these roads (to natural beaches and coastal areas.) are done,” he said.

The monarch urged the state to invest in the Blue Economy, adding that “Rivers State should be thinking of buying into it and making it to work for us as a people and as a state.” He advised the state government to invest in infrastructure, such as roads, especially to coastal areas, that would the state’s tourism potentials.

Wike thanked the monarch for receiving him and his team, and also for declaring support for President Tinubu’s likely re-election bid.

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