Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has been sidelined in the state’s political arrangements, insisting that the governor remains actively involved in the Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Wike made the clarification during a media chat in Abuja on Tuesday, where he addressed speculation about the relationship between the two leaders and Fubara’s role in efforts to secure President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.
According to the minister, Fubara’s quiet disposition should not be mistaken for exclusion from the coalition or dissatisfaction with its political direction.
“Fubara has not been pushed aside. If you know him, he’s been a very quiet person,” Wike said.
He added that the governor was fully involved in the coalition’s activities and was contributing to the campaign for Tinubu’s second term.
“He is fully a member of the Rainbow Coalition and fully playing his part in efforts to ensure the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027,” he stated.
Wike disclosed that Fubara recently hosted a strategic meeting at his residence, attended by key political stakeholders, describing the gathering as evidence of the governor’s continued participation in the state’s political affairs.
The minister, who serves as the campaign coordinator for Rivers State, also said campaign committee membership lists had been submitted, with Fubara expected to occupy one of the leading positions.
Reflecting on the political disagreements that previously strained relations in Rivers State, Wike accused some external actors, including opposition governors, of attempting to deepen divisions between him and Fubara for political advantage.
He, however, maintained that reconciliation and mutual forgiveness had helped the two leaders move forward.
Wike also addressed speculation about Fubara’s political future after completing his tenure, including the possibility of a federal appointment. He noted that he lacked the constitutional authority to nominate ministers but expressed confidence in the governor’s political standing.
The FCT minister further explained that the Rainbow Coalition was established to bring together different political interests across party lines, including members of the All Progressives Congress and other political groups, around a common agenda supporting Tinubu.
He said the arrangement was intended to promote political unity and avoid the prolonged legal disputes that had affected Rivers State in the past.
On how political offices and candidacies would be shared among coalition members, Wike argued that the alliance did not require all participants to contest under the same political party.
“When you talk about politicians that agree to form an umbrella, the umbrella does not mean that all the candidates will be one party,” he said.
According to him, the coalition considers the political circumstances of individual areas while maintaining a common commitment to the President.
“We look at the peculiarities of areas, and say, listen, all of us are together and all of us are supporters of Mr President,” Wike added.
His comments come amid renewed political manoeuvring in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections, with questions continuing over the relationship between Wike and Fubara and the distribution of political influence within the coalition.
