Tinubu Hugs Fubara at Rivers Rally After Governor’s 3 Million Votes Pledge
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday embraced Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, shortly after the governor pledged to deliver at least three million votes for the President in the 2027 general elections.
The moment occurred at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt during the Rainbow Coalition Presidential Campaign Rally, hosted by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
A video from the rally showed Tinubu rising from his seat to warmly embrace Fubara after he finished addressing the gathering. The President was also seen patting the governor on the back.
The gesture came shortly after Fubara publicly declared his commitment to mobilising at least three million votes for Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Addressing the President, the Rivers governor acknowledged the political leadership of Wike, crediting the FCT minister for the political arrangement currently bringing political interests together in the state.
“Under the guidance and leadership of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, we will deliver not less than three million votes for you,” Fubara declared.
The governor also announced that the political alliance in Rivers State was bringing together members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the Rainbow Coalition.
“Let me also announce that in Rivers State, we are doing a Rainbow Coalition (APC and PDP),” he added.
Fubara, Wike Renew Political Alliance
Fubara’s declaration further highlighted his renewed political alignment with Wike, who is coordinating the Rainbow Coalition’s activities in Rivers State.
The governor and the FCT minister were previously embroiled in a prolonged political disagreement that triggered a major political and leadership crisis in the state, with the dispute generating tensions across the Rivers political landscape.
However, their recent reconciliation has brought both political figures together in support of Tinubu’s second-term ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
As part of the reconciliation arrangement, Fubara also reportedly stepped back from his re-election ambition.
The Port Harcourt rally was organised to mobilise political support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections, with Wike hosting the President during his visit to Rivers State.
Tinubu Arrives in Port Harcourt from Akwa Ibom
Tinubu arrived in Port Harcourt on Saturday after departing Akwa Ibom State, where he had spent Friday commissioning projects executed by Governor Umo Eno’s administration.
The President was received at the Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo International Airport by Vice President Kashim Shettima, several South-South governors, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and other senior government officials.
Ahead of the President’s arrival, Wike had expressed confidence that the rally would attract more than 70,000 supporters.
Speaking during an inspection of the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium on Friday, the minister said residents of Rivers State were enthusiastic about receiving the President.
“We are highly elated to receive Mr President. Rivers people are very enthusiastic to receive him tomorrow. That is why we have come here to see how prepared we are,” Wike said.
Tinubu Commissions Projects in Akwa Ibom
The Rivers rally followed Tinubu’s visit to Akwa Ibom State, where he commissioned the Victor Attah International Airport and other projects completed under Governor Umo Eno’s administration.
During the visit, the President recalled his previous professional engagements in the state, where he worked as an auditor with Mobil before venturing into politics.
“This is a homecoming for me. I was here in Akwa Ibom as a Mobil auditor. We built Ibeno, developed Eket, did what we had to do,” Tinubu said.
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He also commended Governor Eno for completing the airport project, describing the achievement as the fulfilment of a long-standing vision.
The political gathering in Port Harcourt forms part of the emerging political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Wike’s Rainbow Coalition seeking to consolidate support for Tinubu across party lines in Rivers State.
