Coalition leader Nyesom Wike says Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara remains actively involved in the Rainbow Coalition and its efforts to secure President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has been sidelined politically, insisting that he remains an active member of the Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Wike made the clarification during a media chat in Abuja on Tuesday, October 13, where he addressed speculation about Fubara’s position within the political alliance and his relatively low public profile.
According to the minister, the governor remains involved in the coalition’s activities and is contributing to efforts to secure the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
“Fubara has not been pushed aside. If you know him, he’s been a very quiet person.
“He is fully a member of the Rainbow Coalition and fully playing his part in efforts to ensure the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027,” Wike said.
The minister cited a recent strategic meeting hosted by Fubara at his residence, which he said was attended by key political stakeholders, as evidence of the governor’s continued participation in the coalition.
“Do you know what it takes to hold a meeting in his house? For everybody to be there?” he asked.
Wike added that maintaining the political influence of their group remained important to the governor and other members of the coalition.
Speaking in his capacity as the Rivers State campaign coordinator, Wike disclosed that lists of campaign committee members had been submitted, with Fubara expected to serve in a leadership capacity.
The minister maintained that speculation about disagreements between him and the governor did not reflect the current state of their relationship.
He also blamed unnamed political actors, including some opposition governors, for allegedly attempting to exploit their previous differences for political advantage.
Wike said reconciliation had helped both men move beyond earlier tensions, adding that they were now working together to protect their group’s political interests in Rivers State.
The latest comments follow renewed engagement between Wike, Fubara and other coalition figures. On October 6, Wike and several political leaders, including Rivers governorship candidate Kingsley Chinda and Senator Magnus Abe, met with Fubara at his private residence in Port Harcourt.
The FCT minister described the Rainbow Coalition as a cross-party political arrangement bringing together members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other groups aligned with Tinubu’s re-election bid.
He said the coalition was established to unite different political interests behind a common objective and avoid the prolonged legal disputes that previously affected the political landscape in Rivers State.
Wike also defended the coalition’s approach to distributing political offices and candidacies among participating groups, saying decisions would take account of the political realities of different areas.
“When you talk about politicians that agree to form an umbrella, the umbrella does not mean that all the candidates will be one party.
“We look at the peculiarities of areas, and say, listen, all of us are together and all of us are supporters of Mr President,” he said.
The coalition’s cross-party structure has generated debate, particularly over its relationship with the APC and the role of political parties in selecting candidates for the 2027 elections. Wike has maintained that support for Tinubu does not necessarily require all coalition members to belong to the same party.
Wike also responded to speculation about Fubara’s political future after completing his tenure as governor, including the possibility of a federal appointment.
He noted that he did not have the constitutional authority to nominate ministers but expressed confidence in Fubara’s standing within the political arrangement.
The minister reiterated that both leaders were working together following their reconciliation and that their focus remained on maintaining political stability in Rivers State and mobilising support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.
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