Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has pledged to mobilise at least three million votes for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election, while confirming his support for the APC-PDP Rainbow Coalition led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Fubara made the declaration on Saturday, November 7, during Tinubu’s presidential campaign rally at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, where political leaders and supporters gathered to demonstrate their support for the President’s second-term ambition.
Addressing the gathering, the governor said Rivers State would reciprocate the support Tinubu provided during the state’s prolonged political crisis by working towards a decisive victory for him in the forthcoming election.
He explained that the President stood by his administration during a difficult period and played an important role in resolving the disagreement that affected the state’s political leadership.
According to Fubara, the state would now demonstrate its appreciation through political mobilisation and voter support, with a target of delivering no fewer than three million votes for Tinubu.
Fubara Pledges Three Million Votes Under Wike’s Leadership
The Rivers governor also recognised Wike’s leadership in coordinating the political mobilisation through the Rainbow Coalition, which brings together politicians from different political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Fubara confirmed that the arrangement would accommodate members of both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), allowing them to support a common list of candidates despite their different party affiliations.
He assured Tinubu that the coalition would work towards delivering its adopted candidates during the January 2027 elections, while maintaining that the political arrangement would receive support across the state.
The governor’s endorsement also strengthens Wike’s position within the coalition, particularly as the former Rivers governor continues to coordinate political activities in support of Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
Meanwhile, Wike has maintained that politicians from different parties can work together to support Tinubu for president while backing candidates of their choice for governorship and legislative positions.
However, the arrangement has generated disagreements within the APC, as some party members prefer the party to maintain support for its candidates across all elective positions rather than adopt candidates from another political platform.
Rainbow Coalition Follows Rivers Political Reconciliation
The latest political alliance comes after the prolonged disagreement between Fubara and Wike, which began in October 2023 and divided the political structure of Rivers State.
Their disagreement involved competing interests over the control of the state’s political leadership and legislative structure, eventually creating a major crisis within the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The situation escalated in March 2025 when President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state, resulting in the suspension of Fubara, his deputy and members of the state legislature for six months.
Fubara returned to office in September 2025 following the end of the emergency period, while subsequent political engagements helped both camps move towards reconciliation.
By October 2026, the governor had publicly recognised Wike’s leadership of the Rainbow Coalition and announced his support for its adopted candidates ahead of the next general elections.
Consequently, their renewed political relationship has become an important part of the coalition’s mobilisation strategy in Rivers State.
Tinubu Seeks Support From Rivers Residents
President Tinubu, who attended the Port Harcourt rally alongside Vice-President Kashim Shettima and other political leaders, thanked Rivers residents for their support during the 2023 presidential election.
He particularly commended Fubara for respecting his intervention during the political disagreement and embracing reconciliation with his predecessor.
Tinubu also acknowledged Wike’s contribution to the rally and the political arrangement that brought different groups together in support of his administration.
Furthermore, the President appealed to young Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate in the forthcoming elections, stressing the importance of their involvement in determining the country’s leadership.
He encouraged eligible voters to take advantage of the electoral process rather than remain spectators in decisions that would affect their future.
The 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, while governorship and state assembly elections will take place on February 6.
Fubara’s three-million-vote pledge now gives the Rainbow Coalition a clear electoral target to pursue in Rivers State. However, the governor’s commitment remains a political promise, and the actual number of votes Tinubu receives will depend on voters’ participation and decisions on election day.