Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has declared Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike the only political leader in the state, urging his supporters to stop addressing him as their leader.

 

Fubara made the statement on Tuesday at the unveiling of candidates of the Rainbow Coalition in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, amid renewed political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

The governor said those who referred to him as their leader during his political confrontation with Wike should discontinue the practice, declaring that the state now had a common leader.

 

“Those that called me my leader during the crises, please stop calling me my leader, we have a common leader now which is His Excellency Chief Nyesom Wike,” Fubara said.

 

Fubara, Wike Move Towards Reconciliation

The statement marks another development in the political relationship between Fubara and Wike, whose dispute triggered a prolonged crisis in Rivers State.

 

The disagreement between the two politicians, who were previously allies, escalated into a major political confrontation that affected the state government and the Rivers State House of Assembly.

 

In March 2025, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State amid the deepening political crisis. The emergency rule lasted until September 2025.

 

Since then, Fubara and Wike have held a series of reconciliation meetings as efforts continued to ease tensions and reshape political alliances in the state.

Related Stories

 

The governor’s latest remarks come against the backdrop of these engagements and the growing importance of political unity as parties and influential figures position themselves for the 2027 elections.

 

Rainbow Coalition Unveils Candidates

The unveiling of the Rainbow Coalition’s candidates brought together political stakeholders from several parties, reflecting the broad political alliances emerging in Rivers State.

 

According to Rank News, representatives and stakeholders from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), Action Alliance (AA), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Allied Peoples Movement (APM), among others, attended the event.

 

The coalition’s unveiling comes as political actors intensify consultations and seek to consolidate their support bases ahead of the next general elections.

 

Fubara’s declaration of Wike as the state’s common leader is likely to attract attention, given the history of their disagreement and the political implications of their apparent reconciliation.

 

Political Implications Ahead of 2027

The developing relationship between the governor and the FCT minister could influence political calculations in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections.

 

However, the extent to which their renewed understanding will translate into a lasting political alliance remains to be seen.

 

For now, Fubara’s public endorsement of Wike as the state’s only leader represents a significant statement in the evolving political dynamics of Rivers State.