Tinubu’s second term will benefit Rivers, Wike woos Fubara’s supporters

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has said that massive support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid will bring more political appointments and infrastructure to Rivers.

Wike spoke on Monday during an interactive meeting with supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Fubara-aligned youth leaders in Port Harcourt.

He urged party faithful and youth groups to put past grievances behind them and rally behind President Tinubu.

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“All I want to hear in this state is Tinubu and nothing but Tinubu. If we play the role we are playing now, and we are one of the first three states that get the highest number of votes, we will get more of the appointments,” he said.

Wike said the current administration has broken records in federal appointments given to Rivers indigenes and that a massive voter turnout for the President would guarantee even greater opportunities for the people, particularly the youth.

He said his primary motivation is ensuring Rivers remains central in national decision-making and cannot be sidelined by any President.

He cited the construction and opening of major roadways like the Bonny road as evidence of Tinubu’s commitment to legacy projects for the region.

Wike noted that local political structures across different platforms are collapsing into a unified front to back the President under the Rainbow Coalition.

He acknowledged that political alliances come with friction and rumors, and called for calm and reconciliation at the grassroots.

“We are talking for survival and growth,” Wike said, charging local youth leaders to return to their bases, mend fences and prepare for campaign committees and the President’s scheduled visit.

“I am not going to be governor again; this is for your own interest. I want this state to grow. I want this state to play an important role in the politics of Nigeria,” he said.

Earlier, former Mayor of Port Harcourt, Ezebunwo Ichemati, who spoke on behalf of the governor’s supporters, declared readiness to work with Wike to deliver Rivers to Tinubu and other candidates of the Rainbow Coalition.

Ichemati said the meeting marks a major turning point, signaling a consolidated front between the Wike and Fubara camps ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“Every family has its own peculiarity in problems. What matters most is that the family comes together, the children watch what has divided them, and decide to move forward,” he said.

He described the recent political crisis in the state as a temporary domestic dispute that has given way to family unity, noting that Governor Fubara was aware of and supported the meeting.

“The state has been held back for a very long time. Now that you are bringing this peace initiative down to the youths, who are the foot soldiers, I want to assure you that we commit ourselves to join our brothers in the rainbow coalition.

“What you see here today will transform into a force that will deliver. Test us, try us, and we will deliver,” he said.