What happened between Wike and Fubara at Tinubu’s Rivers rally
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
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.
Tinubu, who spoke at a campaign rally at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, commended Fubara for accepting the intervention of political elders in resolving his prolonged disagreement with Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
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.
Recalling his intervention in the political crisis, Tinubu praised Fubara for what he described as maturity and respect for the wisdom of elders.
“During the political crisis caused by a misunderstanding in the family, I intervened on your behalf. I thank Governor Fubara, in particular, for his maturity, understanding, and respect for the wisdom of elders when we intervened. Fubara, you will not regret what you have done as long as all of us are alive,” the President said.
Fubara, in his remarks, openly acknowledged Wike’s leadership of the political arrangement and promised to mobilise three million votes for Tinubu.
“Under the guidance and leadership of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, we will deliver not less than three million votes for you,” the governor declared.
He said supporters of the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party were working together under the Rainbow Coalition, describing their cooperation as evidence of a new political understanding in the state.
“Thank you, Mr President, for standing by us at a most difficult time. A good gesture deserves reciprocity. As you have stood by us, we will stand by you,” Fubara said.
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.
“Your Excellency, this is Rivers State’s rally. We did not mobilise anybody from any other state. You can see with your eyes that the people of Rivers State have already concluded and agreed that on January 16, they will vote for you,” he said.
The FCT Minister 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.
“Since the inception of democracy in 1999, Rivers people have never had it this way. We have no less than 47 political appointments from Mr President. So, who is our brother? Our brother is Bola Ahmed Tinubu because he has identified with the people of Rivers State,” Wike said.
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, as well as funds for fumigating the state.
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, to ensure that more Nigerians benefited from economic improvements.
“The people who governed before us left unpaid pensions and gratuities running into billions and trillions of Naira. We are clearing that backlog so that every family is included and we can share in the prosperity,” he said.
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.
“When those people talk about hunger, remember that I am cleaning up the mess they created. Atiku was one of them. Ask him how he built a private university while in office as Vice President in charge of our economy. Who funded the university for him? It was your money, your effort!” Tinubu said.
He further questioned Atiku’s moral standing to seek another opportunity in public office.
“A man without moral integrity, latitude, and ethics has no business holding public office,” he added.
Tinubu also used the rally to present his manifesto for the 2027 election.
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.
Shettima said Nigeria’s foreign reserves had risen from about $3.9 billion to $60 billion in approximately three years.
He also criticised opposition figures, describing Atiku as “intellectually malnourished” and the Labour Party’s former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as politically irrelevant and mediocre.
The rally was attended by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu; wife of the Vice-President, Hajia Nana Shettima; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda; and Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari.
Other dignitaries included state governors, Senators Magnus Abe, Adams Oshiomhole and Ifeanyi Okowa, members of the National Assembly and the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Tinubu arrived in Port Harcourt after engagements in Akwa Ibom State, where he attended a political rally and commissioned projects executed by Governor Umo Eno’s administration.