In a major political realignment, Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has publicly declared the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, as the sole political leader of Rivers State.
Speaking during the official unveiling of candidate rosters for the newly formed multi-party "Rainbow Coalition" in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Governor Fubara directed his supporters and political allies to stop addressing him as their political leader, emphasizing that the state's leadership hierarchy is now unified under Wike.
The public declaration marks a decisive turn in the long-standing political crisis that previously fractured the state's governance structure and legislative body.
Addressing members of his political camp and coalition stakeholders, Governor Fubara explained that the consolidation of political structures in the state leaves no room for parallel leadership or factional loyalty.
RIVERS STATE POLITICAL REALIGNMENT SUMMARY
Political Platform : Rainbow Coalition (Cross-party alliance)
Leadership Mandate : Chief Nyesom Wike affirmed as sole political leader in Rivers State
Executive Role : Governor Siminalayi Fubara leading state administrative structure
Primary Political Goal : Consolidating peace, field alignment, and electoral backing for 2027The governor urged politicians across party lines to settle all internal differences at the unveiling ceremony so that the unified political front can focus on strategic electoral goals ahead of the 2027 general elections.
End to Factional Titles: Fubara explicitly banned the creation of competing leadership titles among his loyalists to prevent lingering animosity between camp members.
Cross-Party Convergence: The Rainbow Coalition brings together key political figures from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and other political organizations under a single platform.
Alignment with Central Strategy: Organizers confirmed that the coalition's unified operations will focus on maintaining political stability in Rivers State while supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's broader national electoral objectives for 2027.