Tinubu Acknowledges Rivers Pivotal Role, Commends Wike, Fubara Reconciliation

President Bola Tinubu has acknowledged the pivotal role of Rivers State voters in the 2023 presidential election that brought him into office, and sought their renewed support in the January 16 2027 presidential election to consolidate his administration’s gains.

Speaking at a campaign rally at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, on Saturday, the President commended the large turnout at the rally, and praised the reconciliation between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

This was contained in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The Rainbow Coalition, led by Wike, organised the rally, which brought together political leaders and supporters from across and beyond Rivers State.

Tinubu commended Fubara for demonstrating maturity, understanding and respect for the intervention of political elders in resolving the disagreement with his predecessor.

“During the political crisis caused by a misunderstanding in the family, I intervened on your behalf. I thank Governor Fubara, in particular, for his maturity, understanding, and respect for the wisdom of elders when we intervened. Fubara, you will not regret what you have done as long as all of us are alive,” the President said.

Turning to the economy, Tinubu assured Nigerians that his administration’s reforms were putting the country on the path to prosperity.

He said the Federal Government was addressing inherited liabilities, including unpaid pensions and gratuities, to ensure that more families benefited from economic recovery.

“The people who governed before us left unpaid pensions and gratuities running into billions and trillions of Naira. We are clearing that backlog so that every family is included and we can share in the prosperity,” he stated.

He said outstanding liabilities, like pensions and salaries owed in 27 of the 36 states, had been cleared, and beneficiaries were more certain of monthly payments.

“When those people talk about hunger, remember that I am cleaning up the mess they created. Atiku was one of them. Ask him how he built a private university while in office as Vice President in charge of our economy. Who funded the university for him? It was your money, your effort!” Tinubu noted.

The President questioned the former Vice President’s moral standing for seeking another opportunity to serve in public office.

“A man without moral integrity, latitude, and ethics has no business holding public office,” he added.

Tinubu also used the occasion to present his manifesto for the 2027 election.

In his remarks, Vice President Kashim Shettima urged political leaders and supporters in Rivers State and across the South-South to support President Tinubu’s re-election, citing the administration’s performance and commitment to the region.

Shettima said the economic indicators were encouraging, with the country’s reserves rising from about $3.9 billion to $60 billion in about three years.

He said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s economic recommendations should be ignored as he is “intellectually malnourished “, while the NDC candidate, Peter Obi, struggles with “political irrelevance ” and “mediocrity”.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Wike described the turnout as evidence of Rivers State’s support for the President’s re-election.

“Your Excellency, this is Rivers State’s rally. We did not mobilise anybody from any other state. You can see with your eyes that the people of Rivers State have already concluded and agreed that on January 16, they will vote for you,” he stated.

The FCT Minister thanked President Tinubu for appointing Rivers State indigenes to his administration and cited federal projects in the state, including the Bonny–Bodo Road and the Federal University of Environment in Ogoniland.

“Since the inception of democracy in 1999, Rivers people have never had it this way. We have no less than 47 political appointments from Mr President. So, who is our brother? Our brother is Bola Ahmed Tinubu because he has identified with the people of Rivers State,” Wike said.

Wike alleged that the former Rivers State Governor and ADC Vice Presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, could not account for $39 million designated for the Karibi Whyte Specialist Hospital project and the budget for fumigating the state.

The Tide reports that the grand rally at the 40,000-capacity Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium was packed, with the crowd spilling into the surrounding precincts.

Dignitaries at the rally included the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas; APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda; and the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari.

Also present were Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, current and past state governors and members of the National Assembly, among others.

President Tinubu arrived in Port Harcourt on Saturday after official engagements and a political rally last Friday in Akwa Ibom State, where he commissioned projects executed by Governor Umo Eno’s administration.