War is over, support Wike-led Rainbow Coalition, Fubara tells loyalists
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Wednesday declared Kingsley Chinda as his preferred governorship candidate in the state, urging his supporters to back him.
Fubara will not be seeking a second term after withdrawing from the All Progressives Congress’s primaries in May 2026, citing deep reflection and consultations.
The governor’s feud with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now FCT Minister, is believed to have cost him a second term in office.
At the groundbreaking and foundation-laying ceremony of the Rivien Medical Industry project in Rumuosi, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Fubara publicly declared his support for the Rainbow Coalition, endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term, and backed Chinda.
The coalition comprises APC loyalists, factions of the Peoples Democratic Party, and other political groups supporting Tinubu.
“We have made peace in the state. And I am supporting our rainbow party, or rainbow coalition,” Fubara said.
Declaring for Tinubu’s second-term bid, Fubara said, “President Ahmed Bola Tinubu is our president, and he’s the one we are supporting.”
He added, “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.”
Appealing to his loyalists to stop waiting for political appointments or benefits before joining the coalition, Fubara said he had already reconciled with Wike’s political camp.
“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 also cautioned supporters against using his name to promote political activities outside the 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 said.
