‘Go your way’, Fubara tells supporters unwilling to join Wike’s Rainbow Coalition - Premium Times Nigeria

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has told supporters unwilling to align with the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s Rainbow Coalition to leave his political camp, saying his decision to reconcile with his former political mentor is non-negotiable.

Mr Fubara issued the warning on Thursday in Port Harcourt during the inauguration of the Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council and Rainbow Coalition, Punch Newspaper reported.

The governor cautioned against divided loyalty, insisting that those publicly professing allegiance to him while pursuing opposing political interests should leave.

“Don’t openly say you’re with me and behold, you’re doing a different thing. I’m here, and I say it boldly anywhere, any day. And anybody who says he is not with me, gently go your way,” he said.

The warning comes as Mr Fubara seeks to consolidate his political realignment with Mr Wike, following the resolution of their prolonged political disagreement which destabilised governance in the oil-rich state.

Mr Fubara urged members of the newly inaugurated campaign council to demonstrate genuine commitment to the coalition.

He congratulated those whose names appeared on the council’s list and appealed to those omitted not to feel discouraged, explaining that additional sub-committees would be established and the list could be updated.

“We still have sub-committees. The list can also be updated so you don’t have any problems to worry about. The most important thing is to work with your heart sincerely,” he said.

The governor expressed confidence that the coalition would achieve better electoral results than it did in 2023 if members approached the assignment with determination.

“Nothing is impossible. Provided it’s something that has to do with life, it is possible if we take it as a serious responsibility, a serious task that must be achieved; we will come out with a stronger vote than what we did in 2023,” he said.

He thanked Mr Wike and other political leaders for their efforts in establishing the campaign council.

Earlier, Mr Wike, who inaugurated the council, announced plans to establish similar structures across the state’s 23 local government areas to strengthen grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said the coalition would abandon conventional campaign rallies in favour of direct engagement with residents through community gatherings, family meetings and age-grade associations.

“We are going away from that ceremonial campaign style. When we are going to Gokana today, we just stay in one field and begin to talk to those we already know,” he said.

He added that the coalition would engage people beyond its regular political supporters.

“It is going to be different. This time around we are going round to communities, to family meetings, to age grade meetings and other informal sects to talk to them, not necessarily those we meet with every day.”

Mr Wike commended Mr Fubara for attending the inauguration despite his busy schedule.

He said council members were selected based on their capacity to participate in the coalition’s activities and deliver electoral results.

The political alliance marks a significant reversal in the relationship between Messrs Fubara and Wike, whose disagreement over control of Rivers State’s political structures triggered a prolonged crisis.

Mr Wike, who governed the state between 2015 and 2023, supported Mr Fubara’s emergence as his successor. However, their relationship deteriorated in October 2023 over disagreements concerning political influence and control of the state legislature.

The dispute divided the Rivers State House of Assembly, triggered impeachment moves against Mr Fubara, and plunged the state into political instability.

The crisis escalated in March 2025 when President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, suspending the governor, his deputy and members of the state House of Assembly for six months. The elected officials returned to office in September 2025 after the emergency rule ended.

Reconciliation efforts gathered momentum in 2026 after Mr Wike announced an end to the feud.

The Rainbow Coalition subsequently emerged as a platform bringing together political actors from different parties, including the APC and Peoples Democratic Party, to support Mr Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.

Mr Fubara later aligned himself with the coalition, endorsed Kingsley Chinda as his preferred successor in the 2027 governorship election, and withdrew from the APC governorship contest, citing the need for peace and political stability.

His latest warning suggests that, beyond the reconciliation between the two political leaders, their supporters are also expected to embrace the new political arrangement.