Fubara Pledges 3 Million Votes for Tinubu in Rivers State

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has pledged to secure no fewer than three million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections. Fubara made this commitment at the Rainbow Coalition Presidential Campaign Rally held at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The governor attributed this pledge to the political leadership of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Fubara disclosed that the political arrangement in Rivers State involves a coalition between members of the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party. This coalition, known as the Rainbow Coalition, aims to mobilize support for Tinubu's second-term ambition. The governor's declaration highlights the political alliance between him and Wike following their reconciliation after months of political disagreements.

The reconciliation between Fubara and Wike came after a prolonged leadership crisis in Rivers State. Fubara had previously declared his support for the Wike-led Rainbow Coalition and Tinubu's re-election bid. He urged his supporters to join the political movement ahead of the 2027 elections. The Rainbow Coalition was established to bring together political actors from different parties in Rivers State to support Tinubu's second-term ambition.

President Tinubu arrived in Port Harcourt on Saturday after visiting Akwa Ibom State, where he commissioned projects executed by Governor Umo Eno's administration. Tinubu was received at the Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo International Airport by Vice President Kashim Shettima, several South-South governors, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and other senior government officials.

The rally, organised by the Rainbow Coalition, was attended by a large crowd of supporters. Wike had expressed confidence that the rally would attract more than 70,000 supporters. He inspected the stadium on Friday and described the visit as Tinubu's first trip to Rivers State since he became President in May 2023.

During his visit to Akwa Ibom, Tinubu commissioned the Victor Attah International Airport and other projects executed by the Umo Eno administration. Tinubu recalled his years working in the state as an auditor with Mobil before venturing into politics. He praised Governor Eno for completing the airport project, describing it as the fulfilment of a long-standing vision.

Key to Tinubu's re-election bid is the support of various political stakeholders in Rivers State. Fubara's pledge of 3 million votes is a significant boost to Tinubu's campaign. The President's visit to Rivers State and the rally held at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium demonstrate the importance of the state in the 2027 general elections.

Key points

• Fubara has pledged to deliver 3 million votes for Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
• The political arrangement in Rivers State involves a coalition between APC and PDP members.
• Tinubu's visit to Rivers State is his first trip to the state since becoming President in May 2023.