President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday publicly endorsed the reconciliation between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, as Fubara pledged to deliver three million votes for the President in the 2027 election. The rally, organised by the Rainbow Coalition led by Wike, drew political leaders and supporters from Rivers State and beyond, with the 40,000-capacity stadium filled and crowds spilling into surrounding areas.
Tinubu praised Fubara for accepting the intervention of political elders in resolving his prolonged disagreement with Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. He recalled his intervention in the political crisis, praising Fubara for maturity and respect for the wisdom of elders. Fubara, in his remarks, openly acknowledged Wike's leadership of the political arrangement and promised to mobilise three million votes for Tinubu.
Wike, who earlier addressed the rally, described the turnout as evidence of Rivers State's support for Tinubu's re-election bid, insisting that the mobilisation was driven by residents of the state. He also praised Tinubu for appointing Rivers indigenes to positions in the Federal Government and cited projects such as the Bonny-Bodo Road and the Federal University of Environment in Ogoniland.
According to Wike, Rivers State has received at least 47 political appointments under Tinubu's administration. He said since the inception of democracy in 1999, Rivers people have never had it this way. Wike also accused former Rivers State governor and African Democratic Congress vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, of failing to account for $39 million earmarked for the Karibi Whyte Specialist Hospital project.
Tinubu, in his address, acknowledged the role Rivers voters played in his emergence as President in 2023 and sought their renewed support, saying his administration's reforms were laying the foundation for economic recovery and prosperity. He said the Federal Government was addressing inherited financial obligations, including outstanding pensions and gratuities.
The President also claimed that outstanding pension and salary liabilities in 27 of the 36 states had been cleared, making monthly payments more certain for beneficiaries. He challenged former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his record in public office, questioning the source of funds used to establish his private university while he served as Vice-President.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima urged political leaders and supporters in Rivers State and the South-South to back the President's re-election, citing the administration's economic policies and projects in the region. The rally was attended by several dignitaries, including First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Key points
- President Tinubu endorsed the reconciliation between Rivers State Governor Fubara and his predecessor Wike.
- Fubara pledged to deliver three million votes for Tinubu in the 2027 election.
- Tinubu claimed that outstanding pension and salary liabilities in 27 states had been cleared.
