Stop Calling Me Leader, Wike Is – Fubara Tells Supporters

By George Omagbemi

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has asked supporters who stood by him during his political dispute with Nyesom Wike to stop referring to him as their leader, declaring that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is now their common leader within the Rainbow Coalition.

Fubara made the statement during the unveiling of the coalition’s candidates for the 2027 elections at Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt. Wike was present at the event.

Addressing members of the group, Fubara said some of his supporters continued to call him “my leader” during their meetings, despite the reconciliation between him and his predecessor.

“We are now in one house. And because we have one house, there is no issue about who is the leader. I might be your oga, but we have a common leader now,” the governor said, urging them to end the practice.

He subsequently addressed Wike as “my oga” and openly described him as the leader of the Rainbow Coalition. Fubara also acknowledged that he would not have become governor without the support of Wike and other political figures.

The Rainbow Coalition, associated with Wike, is bringing together political figures from different parties in Rivers State and backing President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

Fubara pledged to work towards the victory of Tinubu and the coalition’s candidates, signalling a public realignment after the bitter political dispute that began in 2023 and led to a major crisis in Rivers State.

The conflict had involved disagreements over political control, a divided State House of Assembly and moves to impeach the governor. In March 2025, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State; emergency rule ended in September 2025, when Fubara returned to office.

Fubara’s latest remarks underline the public reconciliation between the two politicians. They also raise questions about how the new political arrangement will affect the governor’s former support base and the balance of influence in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections.