President Bola Tinubu has assured Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara that he will not regret accepting the intervention that helped resolve the prolonged political crisis in the state.
Tinubu gave the assurance on Saturday during the All Progressives Congress presidential campaign rally in Port Harcourt, where he commended Fubara for demonstrating maturity and respecting the intervention of political leaders in resolving the dispute.
The President described the governor as a committed democrat, praising his decision to embrace reconciliation and maintain peace despite the political disagreements that had threatened the stability of the state.
“I want to thank you particularly for your maturity, understanding, respect for the wisdom of elders when we intervened. You respected our position. You maintained peace. You are a committed democrat. Fubara, you will not regret what you have done as long as all of us are alive,” Tinubu said.
The President also commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for his contributions to infrastructure development, describing him as an important development partner of his administration.
Tinubu urged Rivers residents to recognise Wike’s contributions, noting that his commitment and dedication had played significant roles in the development of infrastructure across the country.
The President, who recalled the support Rivers State gave him during the 2023 presidential election, returned to the state to seek support for his second-term ambition.
He also defended his administration’s economic reforms, saying the government had taken steps to address the financial difficulties inherited when it assumed office.
Tinubu recalled that 27 of the 36 states were unable to meet their salary obligations when he became President.
Responding, Fubara pledged the support of Rivers State for Tinubu’s re-election bid, promising to mobilise voters to deliver at least three million votes for the President in 2027.
“As you have stood for us, we will stand for you. As you have supported Rivers State, Rivers State will support you equally,” the governor said.
Fubara also expressed appreciation to Tinubu for appointing more than 40 Rivers indigenes into various positions in the Federal Government.
He particularly acknowledged Wike’s role in the administration and commended the President for ongoing federal infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road.
The governor further disclosed that Rivers State was operating a Rainbow Coalition involving members of the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, assuring the President that the political arrangement would support the party’s electoral efforts in 2027.
