By James Adamu
Port Harcourt – Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has described the unveiling of the Rainbow Coalition candidates in Port Harcourt as a moment of reunion, declaring that despite past disagreements, political leaders in the state are “back together for a better cause and for the good of our dear state.”
Fubara spoke on Tuesday at the official unveiling of the coalition’s candidates, an event convened by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr Nyesom Wike, who leads the Rainbow Coalition.
The event, held in Port Harcourt, brought together political leaders and candidates from different parties, including former governor and Senator Magnus Abe and the APC governorship candidate, Kingsley Chinda.
Fubara Hails Wike, Other Leaders
Addressing the gathering, Governor Fubara expressed gratitude to Wike and other leaders for their roles in his political journey.
“I’m really happy to be here. Not just being here, standing in the midst of my family. This is my family because I wouldn’t have been the governor of Rivers State if, by the grace of Almighty, I had not passed through my oga and other leaders to make it possible in our dear state,” Fubara said.
The governor said despite past disagreements, the leaders shared a responsibility to work for the state’s progress.
“So no matter what has happened, I’m very grateful today that, one way or the other, we are back together for a better cause and for the good of our dear state,” he added.
Fubara pledged to work towards victory for President Bola Tinubu and to ensure political power remained within the bloc represented by the coalition. He also expressed confidence in the prospects of the candidates he unveiled, describing the opportunity as a privilege.
Wike Declares Total Reconciliation, Mobilises Support for Tinubu
In his remarks, Wike declared that the Rainbow Coalition was committed to mobilising support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) across the country to back the president irrespective of party affiliations.
“Every PDP member in Rivers State will support Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Every PDP member in Kwara State, you will support Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Every PDP member in Benue State, you will support Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Wike said.
He extended the call to PDP members nationwide, arguing that the country’s political future required cooperation among leaders who shared a common position on the presidency.
Wike said the alliance was designed to unite political interests in Rivers State around a common objective, insisting that party differences should not prevent leaders from working together.
He also urged political stakeholders to avoid actions capable of reigniting tension in the state, warning that there would be no room for those seeking to create further crises.
Wike Faults Atiku, Amaechi
The FCT minister criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, questioning the consistency of his political positions and his capacity to lead a credible alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Wike challenged the prospect of Atiku emerging as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), asking whether Rivers voters would support him, and accused the former vice-president of changing positions on political agreements.
He also criticised former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi over his political record, revisiting promises made during Amaechi’s administration between 2007 and 2015 and raising allegations concerning the handling of funds during his tenure. The allegations were not independently established at the event.
Abe to Amaechi: Resign as Atiku’s Running Mate
Senator Magnus Abe called on Amaechi to reconsider his reported decision to serve as Atiku’s running mate, arguing that the arrangement contradicted the principle of power rotation between the North and the South.
“On behalf of all of us here gathered in Rivers State, we want to call on Amaechi to immediately respect his own position and resign as the vice-presidential candidate to Atiku Abubakar, because it is the turn of the South, and Rivers State will stand by the agreement between the North and the South,” Abe said.
Abe said the coalition’s position was firmly behind Tinubu, whom he described as the candidate representing the South, and subsequently declared his full support for the coalition.
Coalition Candidates Pledge Inclusive Governance
Speaking on behalf of candidates from six political parties, Chinda said the coalition was seeking to move Rivers State away from divisive party politics towards a model of collective leadership.
Chinda said the alliance was united by the objective of supporting Tinubu’s re-election and promoting peace and development in Rivers State.
“We are going to run a government for the people, that will place the interests of Rivers people first,” he said, adding that the coalition’s cooperation should continue beyond the elections, with participating parties having a role in governance.
He commended the state’s political leaders for their efforts towards restoring peace and expressed hope that the alliance would help prevent election-related crises.
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