Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has formally declared support for the rainbow political coalition led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, signalling a major realignment in the state’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Fubara also endorsed Kingsley Chinda, the coalition’s annointed governorship candidate at the moment, while declaring support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

The declaration was made on Wednesday during the groundbreaking ceremony of a medical facility in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The coalition, popularly referred to as the “Rainbow Coalition”, brings together political allies of Wike drawn from both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Fubara urged his supporters to join him in embracing the coalition, saying there was nothing to gain from remaining outside the political family.

“We have made peace in the state and today we have total peace. I am supporting our Rainbow Coalition. President Bola Tinubu is our President and he is the one we are supporting. Kingsley Chinda is the candidate I am supporting, and anyone who believes in me should support him and every candidate under the Rainbow Coalition,” he said.

The governor said: “Some people say, ‘Stay back and let’s  see what we can get before moving.’ There is nothing to gain here. I have already returned to the family. We need to move forward.”

He added that the era of political conflict in the state had ended.
“The time for war is over. This is the time for peace, and that peace is taking us to another level.

” Sometimes, what you lose in one place, you gain elsewhere. This is about life. My position is clear. I will not be part of anything that will bring division to Rivers State.” Fubara added

The declaration marks Fubara’s first major public political statement since his withdrawal from the governorship race, ending months of public silence following the prolonged political crisis in the state.

This development significantly alters the political rotation in Rivers State with power leaving the Riverine after a single tenure and returning to the upland.

The governor’s endorsement is expected to strengthen Wike’s influence and potentially diminish organised opposition within both the APC and PDP ahead of the governorship election.

Meanwhile, the governor’s declaration has elicited mixed reactions among his supporters.

While some expressed disappointment, arguing that they had made sacrifices during the political crisis only to see Fubara reconcile with Wike, others described the decision as a pragmatic step towards sustaining peace and political stability in the state.

A former spokesperson of the PDP in Rivers State and former Commissioner for Environment, Sydney Gbara, maintained that Fubara remained an exceptional leader whose decisions deserved the support of his loyalists.

According to Gbara, peace remains the ultimate goal, stressing that wherever the governor stands is where he and many of his supporters would stand.