‘I Support Wike-led Rainbow Coalition’— Gov. Fubara Backs Tinubu, APC Rivers Guber Candidate
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has publicly endorsed the Wike-led Rainbow Coalition, declared support for President Bola Tinubu's second-term bid, and backed Kingsley Chinda as his preferred governorship candidate in the state.
The governor made the declaration 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.
In remarks captured in a video that circulated on social media, Fubara said the political crisis in Rivers had ended, revealing that he had reunited with his former political family and urging his supporters to rally behind the coalition led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
“We have made peace in the state. And I am supporting our rainbow party, or rainbow coalition,” the governor said.
Throwing his weight behind Tinubu's re-election, Fubara declared, “President Ahmed Bola Tinubu is our president, and he’s the one we are supporting.”
He also announced his choice for the 2027 governorship race, saying, “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 supporters to embrace the coalition without expecting political rewards, Fubara said he had fully 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 warned against using his name to promote political activities outside the Rainbow Coalition, insisting that his position on the state's political direction was unambiguous.
“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.
Fubara's endorsement marks a significant political realignment in Rivers State following months of reconciliation with Wike after a prolonged power struggle that divided the state's political landscape.
The governor had earlier withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress governorship primaries in May 2026, saying the decision followed extensive consultations and personal reflection.
The Rainbow Coalition is a cross-party political alliance comprising APC loyalists, factions of the Peoples Democratic Party and other groups aligned with President Tinubu.