Fubara extends olive branch, throws weight behind Tinubu-Wike alliance

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to supporting President Bola Tinubu's bid for a second term and the governorship aspirations of the All Progressives Congress candidate, Kingsley Chinda, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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Fubara, a loyal member of the APC, has also joined the Rainbow Coalition, a political group founded by his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to promote the interests of the ruling party in Rivers State, marking a significant shift towards peace and unity in the state.

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The governor made this declaration on Wednesday during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Riven Medical Industries Project in Port Harcourt, where he revealed that the previously warring political factions in the state had put their differences aside and agreed to work together for the sake of peace and development.

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Fubara urged his supporters across the state to set aside past grievances and rally behind the aspirations of Tinubu, Chinda, and other APC candidates in the forthcoming elections, emphasizing the importance of unity and cooperation.

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He stated, "We have achieved peace in the state, and I am backing our Rainbow Coalition, with President Bola Tinubu as our President and the one we are supporting, and Kingsley Chinda as the governorship candidate I am supporting, and anyone who believes in me will support him and every other candidate under the Rainbow Coalition."

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Fubara emphasized that he has rejoined his "family" and called on his supporters to extend their full support to the Rainbow Coalition, stressing that the time for conflict is over and that it is now time for peace, which will propel the state to new heights.

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He further clarified his position, saying, "I want this to be clear to everyone, and I have stated it here for all to hear, and if you're not hearing well, use cotton wool to clean your ears and let it enter well, and I'm not party to anything that will bring disunity to this state, I've done what I need to do, and we are moving forward."

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A long-standing power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, which began in late 2023, had sparked a division in the Rivers State House of Assembly, an impeachment threat against Fubara, and a prolonged confrontation between the two camps.

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In 2025, the crisis escalated when Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state, suspending Fubara, his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, and the state House of Assembly, although the suspension was later lifted, the rift remained a significant issue in the state ahead of the 2027 elections.

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As the APC primaries approached, Fubara, who had obtained the nomination form, did not participate in the exercise after being denied the green light by the party's national secretariat, and Chinda ultimately won the ticket.

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Nyesom Wike has since expressed support for Chinda and other members of the "Rainbow Coalition," a grouping of APC and Peoples Democratic Party candidates for the 2027 election.

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Fubara described the Riven Medical Industries Project as a positive development for the state, but warned against a repeat of past experiences where investors failed to fulfill their agreements, resulting in litigation.

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The governor's administration has endorsed the project, convinced that the new investors have the capacity and commitment to revive the facility, create jobs, and promote economic development in the state.

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Fubara urged the investors to adhere to the agreed timelines and ensure the first phase of the project is completed within the next three months, and also appealed to the host communities and the leadership of the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area to support the project and avoid actions that could disrupt its operations.

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The Riven Medical Industries Project is a public-private partnership between the Rivers State Government and Enbay Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, implemented through Riven Medical Industries Limited, a special purpose vehicle established by Enbay to revive and redevelop the former Integrated Medical Industries into a pharmaceutical manufacturing complex.

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Upon completion, the facility is expected to manufacture pharmaceutical formulations, gelatine capsules, intravenous infusions, and active pharmaceutical ingredients, thereby expanding Nigeria's local pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity and reducing dependence on imported medicines.

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The project is also expected to create direct and indirect employment opportunities, facilitate technology transfer, attract investment, and strengthen the pharmaceutical manufacturing and healthcare value chains.

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A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onwuka Nzeshi, said the groundbreaking ceremony marked the beginning of a project aimed at promoting industrial growth, economic diversification, improved healthcare outcomes, and strategic partnerships in Rivers State and Nigeria.