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Fubara Ends Political Rift: Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara formally returns to the Wike-led Rainbow Coalition, declaring that the era of political conflict in the state is over and calling for unity among his supporters.
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Tinubu Gets Second-Term Endorsement: The governor openly throws his weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, affirming that the President remains the coalition’s preferred candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
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Kingsley Chinda Receives Fubara’s Backing: Fubara endorses House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda as his preferred governorship candidate, urging all his loyalists to support every candidate presented by the Rainbow Coalition.
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Supporters Warned Against Parallel Politics: The governor directs his supporters to stop using his name to promote political movements outside the coalition, insisting he will not be associated with any action capable of reigniting divisions in Rivers State.
July 22, (THEWILL) — Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has formally aligned himself with the Rainbow Coalition, publicly endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office while throwing his weight behind Kingsley Chinda as his preferred candidate for the 2027 Rivers State governorship election.
The declaration marks one of the strongest political statements by the governor since his reconciliation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, signalling the effective end of the bitter political rivalry that plunged Rivers State into months of uncertainty and institutional crisis.
Fubara made the announcement on Wednesday during the groundbreaking and foundation-laying ceremony of the Rivien Medical Industry project in Rumuosi, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Fubara Declares Return To Political Family
In a video of his speech that quickly circulated across social media platforms, the governor told supporters that he had returned to his political family and urged them to embrace the Rainbow Coalition, the cross-party political alliance championed by Wike and other allies of President Tinubu.
“We have made peace in the state. And I am supporting our rainbow party, or rainbow coalition”, Fubara declared.
The governor also ended months of speculation over his political direction by openly endorsing President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
“President Ahmed Bola Tinubu is our president, and he’s the one we are supporting”, he stated.
Fubara further announced his support for House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda as his preferred governorship candidate, insisting that his followers should back every candidate presented by the coalition.
“Oke Chinda is the governorship candidate that I am supporting. And anybody who believes in me will support every candidate that is under the rainbow”, he added.
Governor Urges Loyalists To Embrace Peace
Appealing directly to his political supporters, Fubara cautioned against delaying their return to the coalition in anticipation of political appointments or personal benefits, stressing that reconciliation had already been achieved.
“For those of you who are saying, ‘Fubara, let’s stay, we want to collect something before we run,’ there is nothing to collect. I am already in the family. I’ve gone back to our family. So please, wherever you are, give your total support to that coalition. We need to move forward. The time of war is over; it’s time of peace. And this peace is taking us to another level. What you lose here, you’ll gain in another place. That is about life”, he said.
The governor equally warned his supporters against using his name to promote political activities or movements outside the Rainbow Coalition.
“So please, I want this to be made clear to everybody. Don’t go anywhere and say you are supporting Fubara, Fubara. No, no, no. My position is this, and I’ve said it here clearly for everyone to hear. If you are not hearing well, use cotton wool or open your ear and let it enter well. I am not party to anything that will bring any form of disunity in this state. I’ve done what I need to do. For now, we are moving forward”, he stated.
Background
Fubara’s latest declaration represents a dramatic shift in Rivers State’s political landscape following nearly two years of fierce political hostilities between him and his predecessor, Wike. The crisis fractured the state’s political structure, divided the House of Assembly, triggered legal battles and drew repeated interventions from President Tinubu before both leaders eventually reconciled.
The governor’s decision also comes months after he withdrew from the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in May 2026, saying the move followed extensive consultations and personal reflection.
With Wednesday’s announcement, Fubara has now openly embraced the Rainbow Coalition—a broad political alliance comprising APC loyalists, factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and other political groups working in support of President Tinubu.
Political observers believe the governor’s endorsement of Tinubu’s second-term ambition, his return to Wike’s political fold, and his adoption of Kingsley Chinda as his preferred governorship candidate could significantly reshape political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections in Rivers State and the South-South region.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
