President Bola Tinubu has praised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for his contributions to infrastructure development, while commending Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for accepting reconciliation efforts to restore peace in the state.
Tinubu said Fubara would not regret his decision to embrace peace, acknowledging his maturity and respect for the wisdom of elders during the political crisis that rocked Rivers State.
The President spoke on Saturday at the Rainbow Coalition presidential campaign rally at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Addressing the governor, Tinubu said, “Siminalayi Fubara, Your Excellency, the host governor of today, I want to thank you specifically for your maturity, understanding, respect for the wisdom of elders.
“When we intervened, you respected our position. You maintained peace. You are a committed Democrat. Fubara, you will not regret what you have done as long as all of us are alive.”
He also described Wike as a development partner of his administration, praising the minister for his commitment and contributions to infrastructure development across the country.
“Particularly, Nyesom Wike. Nyesom Wike is already a development partner of the Bola Tinubu administration. He’s doing a wonderful job.
“Committed, very, very hard-working, a man with a vision who combined that with a mission. I help you thank him for me, for his contribution to the infrastructural development of our country,” the President said.
Tinubu also thanked the governor for maintaining peace and stability during the crisis, which he described as a misunderstanding within the political family.
“I want to thank you also again for maintaining peace and stability during the seeming crisis created by misunderstanding in the family. To me, I intervened on your behalf,” he added.
The political crisis between Fubara and Wike erupted in October 2023, months after the governor succeeded the minister as Rivers State governor.
The disagreement, which centred on control of the state’s political structure and influence over the Rivers State House of Assembly, led to an attempt to impeach Fubara, a division among lawmakers and several legal battles.
Tinubu intervened in the dispute at different times, but the crisis persisted until March 18, 2025, when the President declared a state of emergency in the state, suspending Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the state House of Assembly.
The emergency rule was lifted in September 2025, allowing the governor and lawmakers to return to office.
In 2026, both camps moved towards reconciliation, with Fubara publicly declaring his return to his political family and recognising Wike as the leader of the Rainbow Coalition.
At the unveiling of the coalition’s candidates in Port Harcourt on October 27, Fubara urged his supporters to recognise Wike’s leadership, declaring that they were now in the same political camp.
The Rainbow Coalition, led by Wike, comprises politicians from different political parties working together to support Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
At Saturday’s rally, Fubara also pledged that Rivers State would deliver no fewer than three million votes for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election under Wike’s leadership.
The governor said the commitment was part of the state’s support for the President and the coalition’s political objectives ahead of the 2027 elections.
