2027: Tinubu, Wike, Fubara lead APC South-South mega rally
By Ibrahim Bakare
The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday, November 7, 2026, staged a massive political mobilisation in the South-South geopolitical zone as thousands of party faithful, political stakeholders, support groups and enthusiastic supporters converged on the 40,000-capacity Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Igwuruta-Ali, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for a presidential mega rally in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
The high-profile political gathering, organised under the auspices of the APC Rainbow Coalition and spearheaded by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, attracted an impressive array of political heavyweights, serving and former governors, members of the National Assembly, party leaders and representatives of various political pressure groups from the six South-South states.
The rally was lead by governor of the state, Sir Siminalayi Fubara; wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe.
Other prominent dignitaries at the rally were the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON; Chairman of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Senator Magnus Ngei Abe; former Edo State Governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole; Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas; and former Taraba State Governor, Mr Jolly Nyame.
The atmosphere at the stadium was electrifying as supporters arrived in large numbers from the 23 local government areas of Rivers State and neighbouring states.
Political banners, flags, campaign-branded materials and photographs bearing the images of President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima dominated the venue, creating an atmosphere of political solidarity, enthusiasm and mobilisation.
Several support groups, including the City Boy Movement, Rainbow Coalition Movement, New Rivers Vision Women Team and other political pressure groups, were conspicuously represented.
The New Rivers Vision Women Team, led by Honourable Justina Emereji, a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly seeking re-election, was among the groups that demonstrated an impressive organisational presence at the rally. Members of the physically challenged community also participated actively in the political gathering.
The arrival of prominent political personalities further heightened the excitement among supporters. First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu arrived at approximately 12:40 p.m., while President Bola Ahmed Tinubu subsequently made his entrance, accompanied by Vice President Kashim Shettima and other top government officials.
The President’s visit provided a major political platform for the APC leadership and its allies in the South-South to demonstrate their commitment to his administration and consolidate support for his 2027 re-election ambition.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, who leads the Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State and coordinates the political mobilisation in support of President Tinubu, delivered the welcome address.
Wike expressed appreciation to the President and other distinguished personalities for honouring the occasion. He also commended the supporters who responded to the mobilisation and turned out in impressive numbers to fill the stadium.
He particularly praised the people of Rivers State for answering the clarion call and demonstrating their political commitment to President Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, also addressed the gathering, reaffirming the political commitment of Rivers State to President Tinubu and his Renewed Hope Agenda.
The governor’s remarks attracted considerable attention against the backdrop of recent political realignments, reconciliation efforts and coalition-building initiatives in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, also spoke on behalf of stakeholders from the South-South region. He highlighted what he described as the achievements of the Tinubu administration over the last three and a half years, urging Nigerians to appreciate the government’s economic reforms and developmental policies.
Similarly, Distinguished Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and former Senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District, addressed the gathering on behalf of Rivers State stakeholders.
Abe highlighted the economic policies and achievements of the Tinubu administration, particularly the removal of the petroleum subsidy, which he argued had strengthened government revenues and provided additional financial resources for development across the different tiers of government.
He explained the perceived benefits of the policy and urged the people of Rivers State to appreciate the economic reforms undertaken by the Federal Government. He expressed confidence that Rivers people would reciprocate the President’s commitment by supporting his re-election bid in 2027.
The APC National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Felix Morka, also addressed the gathering on behalf of the party leadership, appreciating the political leaders, stakeholders and supporters who honoured the occasion.
The Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari, former Governor of Zamfara State, also delivered an address, highlighting the administration’s achievements and emphasising the importance of sustained political support for President Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks, underscored the importance of honouring political agreements, declaring that an agreement remained an agreement. His comments were widely interpreted against the background of Governor Fubara’s commitment to mobilising Rivers State votes for President Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
Akpabio also offered prayers for President Tinubu, Rivers State and the entire South-South region, seeking God’s guidance, peace and continued progress for the country.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, was also present alongside other distinguished members of the National Assembly and APC stakeholders.
The presence of the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, further underscored the importance attached by the ruling party to consolidating its political structures and strengthening its support base in the South-South region.
The Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum also featured prominently among the APC leaders associated with the campaign mobilisation.
The Rivers State APC governorship candidate, Rt. Hon. Kingsley Ogundu Chinda, also addressed the gathering, presenting the political vision of the Rainbow Coalition for the state.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition’s candidates, Chinda emphasised the need for political cooperation, inclusiveness and peaceful coexistence among the different political interests that have come together under the Rainbow Coalition.
He expressed confidence that Rivers State would make a positive political statement by supporting President Tinubu’s second-term ambition. He also highlighted the prospects of an inclusive administration that would accommodate different political interests, irrespective of party affiliation, gender or religious background.
The entertainment dimension of the rally added colour and excitement to the political spectacle as Port Harcourt-born freestyle Afrobeat musician Duncan Mighty thrilled the mammoth crowd with energetic musical performances.
His rendition of popular songs, particularly I’m a Port Harcourt Boy, generated tremendous excitement among the supporters and reinforced the cultural identity and entertainment heritage of the Garden City.
When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu eventually addressed the gathering, he defended his administration’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of the petroleum subsidy, while highlighting the financial difficulties his government inherited upon assuming office in May 2023.
The President recalled that 27 out of Nigeria’s 36 states were experiencing difficulties meeting their salary obligations when he assumed office, with workers and their families bearing the consequences of the financial crisis.
He maintained that the situation had improved under his administration, arguing that the economic reforms had helped restore financial stability and strengthened the capacity of governments at different levels to meet their obligations.
Tinubu further defended the removal of the petroleum subsidy, explaining that the decision was necessary to prevent further deterioration of the nation’s economy and redirect scarce public resources towards development.
The President also commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, for his political commitment, loyalty and dogged support for his administration.
He praised Wike’s political mobilisation efforts and acknowledged his contributions to strengthening the political structure supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Addressing the people of Rivers State, Tinubu urged eligible voters to take responsibility for the country’s political future by participating actively in the 2027 general elections.
He reminded the electorate that the power to determine the country’s leadership rested with them through the exercise of their democratic franchise using their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
The President appealed to supporters to use their PVCs to vote for the APC and sustain what he described as progressive economic development and national transformation.
He further assured Nigerians of his commitment to building a stronger economy, consolidating the achievements of his administration and advancing the country’s development.
The President’s address brought the political engagement to a close at approximately 2:50 p.m., following a succession of speeches by national party leaders, governors, political stakeholders and other distinguished personalities.
The Port Harcourt mega rally represented another significant political mobilisation exercise by the APC and its Rainbow Coalition allies in the South-South geopolitical zone ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Beyond the political speeches, declarations of support and entertainment, the gathering provided an important platform for the ruling party to consolidate its grassroots structures, strengthen political alliances and demonstrate its determination to secure substantial electoral support across the Niger Delta region.
For Rivers State, the rally was particularly significant, as political leaders from different backgrounds and political affiliations converged under the Rainbow Coalition to project a common political direction in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election ambition.