Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has urged his supporters to stop addressing him as their political leader, declaring that Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, is now the common leader of their political alliance.
Fubara made the statement on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, during the unveiling of candidates under the Rainbow Coalition at Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Wike was present at the event.
The governor explained that members who stood by him during the political crisis between him and his predecessor still referred to him as “my leader” during their meetings. However, he insisted that the emergence of a common political platform meant members had to put their previous divisions behind them.
According to Fubara, the coalition should operate as one political family without competing claims to leadership.
“We are now in one house. And because we have one house, there is no issue about who is the leader. I might be your Oga, but we have a common leader now,” he said.
He subsequently asked his supporters to stop using the expression, stressing that the issue needed to be resolved to ensure unity within the coalition.
The governor also publicly acknowledged Wike’s position, referring to the FCT minister as the leader of the Rainbow Coalition.
FUBARA ACKNOWLEDGES WIKE’S ROLE IN HIS POLITICAL CAREER
During his address, Fubara expressed appreciation to Wike and other political figures who contributed to his emergence as governor of Rivers State.
He admitted that he would not have attained the position without the support of his predecessor and other influential political leaders.
The governor described the gathering as an opportunity for members of his political family to reunite and work towards a common objective.
He also pledged to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 and work towards the success of candidates under the Rainbow Coalition.
Fubara’s remarks represent a public demonstration of reconciliation between the governor and Wike following the prolonged political dispute that divided their camps.
RAINBOW COALITION POSITIONS ITSELF AHEAD OF 2027 ELECTIONS
The Rainbow Coalition, a political platform associated with Wike, brings together political stakeholders from different parties to support Tinubu’s anticipated re-election campaign.
The unveiling ceremony attracted members and supporters of several political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), Action Alliance (AA), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
Wike reiterated that the coalition was intended to unite political interests behind Tinubu rather than create further divisions.
He also urged political stakeholders to work together towards the President’s re-election and the victory of the coalition’s candidates in the forthcoming elections.
The event comes as political leaders across the country begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
BACKGROUND TO THE WIKE-FUBARA POLITICAL CRISIS
The disagreement between Fubara and Wike began in October 2023, months after Fubara succeeded Wike as governor of Rivers State. The dispute centred on political influence and control of the state’s political structures.
The crisis escalated into a division within the Rivers State House of Assembly, impeachment proceedings and legal disputes. Efforts to resolve the disagreement failed to bring lasting peace, and tensions continued over political appointments, local government administration and other state matters.
In March 2025, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, resulting in the suspension of the governor, his deputy and members of the state legislature. Fubara returned to office in September 2025 after the six-month emergency period.
The latest public reconciliation between Fubara and Wike signals a renewed effort to consolidate their political relationship ahead of the next election cycle.
With Fubara now openly recognising Wike as the Rainbow Coalition’s leader, attention is turning to how the alliance will influence political alignments and electoral contests in Rivers State in 2027.
