-
The Story Of Dr. ALABO DAKORINAMA GEORGE-KELLY
As the drums of the 2027 governorship election begin to sound in Rivers State, all eyes are steadily turning towards Dr. Alabo Dakorinama George-Kelly, popularly known as Dax George-Kelly or simply George Kelly. The tall, lanky, and brilliant project management expert is widely regarded as the favourite of former Governor and current FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
A proud Kalabari Ijaw son from Buguma town, Dr. George-Kelly embodies a compelling mix of technocratic depth, political astuteness, and grassroots connection. To his growing supporters, he is the “shooting star” candidate best positioned to sustain and even accelerate the massive developmental strides recorded during Wike’s transformative administration. With a distinguished pedigree and professional excellence,
George-Kelly stands out as a first-class Chartered Quantity Surveyor, Cost Engineer, and Project Management specialist. He holds a PhD in Construction Management from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and currently serves as the Executive Secretary of the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA)— a strategic federal appointment that has significantly raised his national profile.
Born into a disciplined and enlightened home, his late father, Evangelist Alabo K.F. George, was a Russia-trained Radar Engineer and Air Force veteran, while his mother, Mrs. Mary George, a native of Ikom in Cross River State, is a retired Medical Officer. This solid foundation shaped his pursuit of excellence. He attended schools in Benue and Rivers States before obtaining a Bachelor of Technology in Quantity Surveying and a Postgraduate Diploma in Civil Engineering from the Rivers State University of Science and Technology. He later earned a Master of Science in Quantity Surveying/Cost Engineering from Enugu State University of Science and Technology, graduating as the best student in his department.
With over two decades of experience, George-Kelly rose to Principal Manager (Infrastructure) at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), where he supervised more than 500 civil engineering and building projects. He also served as Technical Assistant to the Rivers State Representative at the NDDC and consulted for several top construction firms. A Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (FNIQS) and member of other prestigious professional bodies, he has won notable awards, including the Best Overall Performing Candidate in the NIQS Professional Competence Examination (2006) and the CAP Plc Best Quantity Surveyor Award.
SERVICE TO RIVERS STATE UNDER WIKE
George-Kelly’s service in Rivers State under Governor Wike proved to be a game-changer. Identified for his outstanding delivery during the “NEW VISION” campaign, he resigned from the NDDC to take up appointment as Special Adviser on Project Management and later Head of the Bureau for Special Projects. In that capacity, he successfully supervised and delivered over 100 high-profile projects across the 23 local government areas, reinforcing Wike’s reputation for completing projects on time and to specification.
He previously served as Commissioner for Works and demonstrated his political weight by contesting the 2022 PDP governorship primary, where he came second to the eventual winner, Sir Siminalayi Fubara. His political foundation is equally solid: he once served as National President of the National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS) and as a member of the Governing Council of Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori.
Beyond public service, George-Kelly is a devoted family man. He is happily married to Mrs. Inkoba D.A. George, and the union is blessed with three children — Vera Owanari Dax Alabo George and twin boys God’sson Dakorite Dax Alabo George and God’swill Tamunosaki Dax Alabo George. In his leisure time, he enjoys playing Table Tennis and an ardent Manchester United fan.
GEORGE-KELLY VS FUBARA: A DIRECT COMPARISON
In the unfolding contest for the Brick House, two prominent riverine Ijaw sons stand tall as leading contenders: Dr. Alabo Dakorinama George-Kelly and incumbent Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
Born on 23 December, George-Kelly (a mid-career professional) is slightly younger than Fubara, who was born on 28 January 1975 and is currently 51 years old. Both men hail from the riverine Ijaw belt — George-Kelly from the Kalabari axis and Fubara from the Opobo/Nkoro axis — giving them natural appeal in riverine communities.
While George-Kelly currently serves as Executive Secretary of the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA) at the federal level, Fubara occupies the seat of power as incumbent Governor since May 2023. Academically, George-Kelly boasts strong credentials in the Real Estate environment with a B.Tech in Quantity Surveying, PGD in Civil Engineering, M.Sc in Quantity Surveying/Cost Engineering (Best Graduating Student), and a Doctoral degree PhD in Construction Management. Fubara, on the other hand, is a Finance and Administration expert with a B.Sc in Business Education (Accountancy), PGD in Accounting, M.Sc in Finance, and an MBA.
Professionally, George-Kelly is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor, Cost Engineer, and Project Management Specialist, and a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (FNIQS). Fubara rose through the civil service as an Accountant, Finance and Administration expert. In career highlights, George-Kelly supervised over 500 projects at the NDDC as Principal Manager (Infrastructure), served as Special Adviser on Projects and Head of the Bureau for Special Projects under Wike, acted as Commissioner for Works, and delivered numerous infrastructure projects. Fubara’s path includes serving as Accountant General of Rivers State, Permanent Secretary, and Director of Finance before becoming governor.
Politically, George-Kelly contested the 2022 PDP primaries (finishing second to Fubara), served as National President of the National Union of Rivers State Students, and was a member of the Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic Governing Council. He is regarded as a strong Wike loyalist. Fubara was handpicked by Wike as successor in 2023, had a PDP background before defecting to the APC in late 2025, and now banks on his incumbency.
Their relationships with Wike tells a tale of diverging paths: George-Kelly remains a very close ally and protégé who served prominently in Wike’s administration and resigned from Fubara’s cabinet in 2023 citing integrity issues. Fubara, once Wike’s political godson, is now locked in a major rift with his former mentor since late 2023 and they have become political opponents.
In the current political alignment, George-Kelly is strongly backed by Wike’s Rainbow Coalition and is contesting the APC ticket, while Fubara, now in the APC after defection, is seeking re-election amid the ongoing crisis with Wike.
George-Kelly’s key strengths lie in proven project delivery, technocratic competence, strong infrastructure pedigree, federal exposure through the BCDA, and riverine appeal with a solid Kalabari base. Fubara draws power from incumbency and control of state resources, grassroots sympathy arising from the Wike-Fubara feud, and a civil service humility narrative.
On the flip side, George-Kelly is sometimes perceived as “Wike’s candidate,” has less broad grassroots visibility than a sitting governor, and his resignation from Fubara’s cabinet is viewed by some as disloyalty. Fubara grapples with a deep political rift with the most powerful figure in Rivers politics, ongoing impeachment threats, governance distractions, and questions about his independence and performance.
Looking ahead to 2027, George-Kelly is positioned as the continuity candidate focused on infrastructure and development, enjoying strong Wike machinery support. Fubara is fighting for re-election on the strength of incumbency and riverine solidarity while facing a stiff challenge from Wike-backed forces.
WIKE’S BACKING AND THE 2027 OUTLOOK
Bolstered by the unwavering support of Minister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the Rivers Rainbow Coalition under Renewed Hope Ambassadors led by Ambassador Desmond Akawor, and the well-oiled Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI) structure present in all 319 wards and 23 LGAs, George-Kelly’s political trajectory appears strongly favoured.
His current position as Executive Secretary of the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA) has further equipped him with the networks and resources needed to wage a formidable campaign.
A committed workaholic, strategic thinker, and results-driven performer, Dr. Alabo Dakorinama George-Kelly is stepping into the arena not just as another politician, but as a development-oriented leader poised to usher Rivers State into a new era of sustained progress and prosperity. For many stakeholders across the state, he symbolises competence, continuity, and the promise of the next chapter in Rivers governance.
Emeka Amaefula
+234(0)8111813069
