The FCT minister has appealed to supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to join the Rainbow Coalition, arguing that stronger electoral support for President Bola Tinubu could bring Rivers State more federal appointments, infrastructure projects and national influence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has intensified efforts to unite rival political groups in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to support President Bola Tinubu\u2019s bid for another term. Wike made the appeal on Monday, October 19, 2026, during an interactive meeting with youth leaders and political figures associated with Fubara in Port Harcourt. The former Rivers State governor called on participants to abandon past disagreements and work together under the Rainbow Coalition, a political alliance bringing together supporters from different parties. He argued that Rivers could secure greater federal representation and infrastructure investment if it delivered substantial votes for Tinubu in the presidential election. The meeting followed months of political reconciliation efforts after a prolonged dispute between Wike and Fubara disrupted the state’s governance. Representatives of Fubara’s supporters expressed willingness to cooperate, although the gathering did not establish that every member of the governor’s political network had accepted the proposed alignment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Nyesom Wike meets supporters of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and youth leaders in Port Harcourt on October 19, 2026.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The meeting brought together political figures previously associated with Fubara’s Simplified Movement, which developed into an important support network during the disagreement between the governor and his predecessor. According to reports of the gathering, Wike encouraged political leaders to reconnect with aggrieved members at the grassroots level and prepare for coordinated activities ahead of the elections. He maintained that the proposed arrangement would allow Rivers State to present a more united political position in its dealings with the Federal Government. Wike identified appointments, infrastructure development and opportunities for young people as potential benefits of stronger relations with the Tinubu administration. The minister also referred to the Bonny Road project as an example of federal infrastructure investment affecting the state. His remarks presented electoral cooperation as a means of increasing Rivers State’s influence, although the government has not announced a formal arrangement guaranteeing additional projects or appointments based on the state’s voting figures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wike’s most direct message concerned the level of electoral support he wants Rivers State to provide in 2027. He told the gathering, “All I want to hear in this state is Tinubu and nothing but Tinubu,” while arguing that the state should seek to rank among those delivering the highest votes for the President. The FCT minister said greater political cooperation could create opportunities for residents and strengthen Rivers State’s participation in national affairs. He also stressed that his interest was not in returning to the governorship but in maintaining what he described as the state’s relevance within the federal political structure. Wike’s argument reflects his view that strong political alignment can influence access to federal appointments and development opportunities. However, the distribution of public infrastructure and government services also involves statutory responsibilities, budgetary decisions and national development priorities that extend beyond electoral relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Speaking on behalf of Fubara’s supporters, former Port Harcourt Mayor Ezebunwo Ichemati welcomed the renewed engagement and pledged that the group would cooperate with Wike and the Rainbow Coalition. Ichemati described the meeting as an opportunity to rebuild relationships among political activists who had previously supported opposing sides during the Rivers political crisis. He said the governor was aware of the engagement and supported the reconciliation process. The former mayor also emphasised the role of youth leaders in restoring cooperation at the local government level. His declaration represented a public commitment from participating representatives of Fubara’s political network, but it did not amount to an independent statement from every organisation or individual associated with the governor. Nor did it establish that all differences over political appointments, party structures and electoral candidates had been resolved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The October 19 engagement followed another important meeting held the previous evening at Fubara’s private residence in Port Harcourt. On October 18, Wike led a delegation that included Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker Martin Amaewhule, the chairmen of the state’s 23 local government councils and All Progressives Congress governorship candidate Kingsley Chinda. The meeting formed part of ongoing efforts to reconcile groups divided by the earlier political dispute. Similar discussions had taken place on October 6, when Wike, Chinda and their supporters met Fubara and members of his political camp for approximately four hours. These successive engagements demonstrate that the October 19 appeal was part of a broader reconciliation process rather than an isolated political gathering. However, reports have also identified concerns about whether supporters of both camps will receive comparable opportunities within the emerging coalition, particularly in decisions involving local leadership and political nominations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The history of the disagreement between Wike and Fubara helps explain why the latest meetings have attracted national attention. Fubara became governor in May 2023 after Wike completed his eight years in office, but their relationship deteriorated as differences emerged over control of the state’s political structure and relations with the House of Assembly. The conflict produced rival political alignments, legislative disputes and repeated threats of impeachment. A major turning point occurred on March 18, 2025, when President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Fubara, his deputy and state lawmakers for six months. The President cited the political deadlock and concerns about attacks on oil infrastructure, while critics challenged the constitutional basis for suspending elected officials. The emergency ended in September 2025, allowing the governor and lawmakers to return to office. That episode remains an important historical reference because it demonstrated the consequences of the political confrontation for governance and constitutional institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Rainbow Coalition has since emerged as the principal platform for efforts to unite political groups previously divided by the crisis. The alliance includes figures associated with both the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party, reflecting the unusual nature of the political arrangements developing in Rivers State. In July 2026, Fubara publicly declared support for the coalition, endorsed Tinubu’s reelection bid and identified Kingsley Chinda as his preferred governorship candidate. Speaking during a ceremony connected with a medical industry project in Obio\/Akpor Local Government Area, the governor asked his supporters to accept the reconciliation and cooperate with the new alliance. The October meetings therefore build on an earlier public commitment by Fubara rather than introducing an entirely new position. Nevertheless, political endorsements and agreements among senior figures do not eliminate the right of voters to assess candidates independently or remove the need for political parties to comply with electoral requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The political realignment has implications for the administration of Rivers State, one of Nigeria’s major oil producing areas. Prolonged disputes between the executive and legislature can delay budget consideration, complicate oversight and create uncertainty about public projects. Businesses may also be affected when political instability disrupts official decisions or raises concerns about the continuity of government programmes. Supporters of reconciliation argue that cooperation between the governor, lawmakers and local government officials could reduce institutional disputes and improve the implementation of development initiatives. Other observers remain concerned about how power will be shared within the coalition and whether political agreements will preserve the independence of elected institutions. Wike’s emphasis on federal appointments and infrastructure highlights one political argument for closer alignment with the Presidency, but the actual delivery of public services will depend on budget allocations, administrative performance and the execution of approved projects. These outcomes cannot be established merely by counting political endorsements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The latest development also raises questions about how party loyalty and coalition politics will operate during the 2027 electoral cycle. Wike remains a prominent figure associated with the Peoples Democratic Party while serving as a minister in Tinubu’s administration. The Rainbow Coalition brings together political actors from different party backgrounds who have expressed support for the President and other candidates. This arrangement may allow previously competing groups to coordinate political activities, but it can also create disagreements over party identity, candidate selection and the distribution of leadership responsibilities. Supporters of the arrangement have described it as a practical effort to restore political cooperation after years of disputes. Those who question it have raised concerns about whether established party structures and internal competition will be adequately respected. The coalition’s long term stability will depend partly on whether these institutional questions are addressed through transparent procedures rather than informal agreements among influential politicians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As of October 20, 2026, the latest confirmed development is that Wike has publicly appealed to Fubara’s supporters to join the Rainbow Coalition, while Ichemati has pledged cooperation on behalf of the group represented at the meeting. Wike has also instructed grassroots leaders to return to their local government areas and engage with political associates who remain dissatisfied with the reconciliation arrangements. Preparations for further political activities, including campaign committees and an anticipated presidential visit to Rivers State, were discussed, although the reports did not establish a confirmed date for every proposed event. Fubara’s earlier endorsement of the coalition provides context for the latest discussions, but the governor did not personally announce a new agreement during Monday’s gathering in the accounts reviewed. The next developments will concern how the coalition incorporates remaining political groups, manages competing interests and organises its activities ahead of the elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wike’s meeting with Fubara’s supporters represents another stage in the political reconciliation taking shape in Rivers State after a prolonged dispute that affected the governor, the legislature and wider state politics. By bringing previously opposed youth leaders and political organisers into discussions under the Rainbow Coalition, the FCT minister is seeking to translate reconciliation among senior figures into cooperation at the grassroots level. Participants have expressed willingness to work together, but important questions remain about the inclusion of different political interests, the management of competing ambitions and the durability of the arrangement. The episode also illustrates how federal appointments and infrastructure investment have become central themes in arguments about political alignment. For Rivers residents, the practical consequences will depend on whether the reconciliation contributes to stable governance, effective public institutions and the delivery of development projects. With the 2027 elections approaching, the coalition’s activities will remain subject to the choices of participating politicians, their parties and ultimately the electorate.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The FCT minister has appealed to supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to join the Rainbow Coalition, arguing that stronger electoral support for President Bola Tinubu could bring Rivers State more federal appointments, infrastructure projects and national influence. 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President Bola Tinubu, Governor Siminalayi Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. The Presidency intervened during the Rivers political crisis in 2025.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Road infrastructure in Rivers State. Wike cited federal projects, including the Bonny Road, while discussing the benefits he associates with cooperation with the Tinubu administration.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wike addresses political supporters during the renewed effort to bring Rivers State’s rival political groups together ahead of the 2027 elections.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n