Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has met supporters of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara in Port Harcourt as political realignments gather pace ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The meeting, held on Monday, brought together Wike, youth leaders and supporters associated with Fubara’s defunct Simplified Movement. The engagement was aimed at reconciling the rival political camps and building a united front under the Rainbow Coalition.

Wike urged political stakeholders in the state to set aside past disagreements and mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid.

He argued that delivering a substantial number of votes for Tinubu in 2027 could strengthen Rivers State’s influence at the federal level and improve its prospects for political appointments, infrastructure projects and other development opportunities.

“All I want to hear in this state is Tinubu and nothing but Tinubu,” the minister said, stressing the importance of aligning the state’s political interests with the Federal Government.

Wike maintained that his objective was to ensure Rivers State remained relevant in national decision-making and secured opportunities for its residents, particularly young people.

“I am not going to be governor again; this is for your own interest. I want this state to grow. I want this state to play an important role in the politics of Nigeria,” he said.

The minister cited federal appointments and infrastructure projects, including the Bonny road, as examples of the benefits of maintaining a productive relationship with the Tinubu administration.

He also urged grassroots leaders and youth groups to return to their respective local government areas, reconcile aggrieved members and prepare for the establishment of campaign committees ahead of the elections and the President’s anticipated visit to the state.

Speaking on behalf of Fubara’s supporters, former Port Harcourt Mayor, Ezebunwo Ichemati, expressed the group’s readiness to work with Wike and other members of the Rainbow Coalition to support Tinubu and the coalition’s candidates in the forthcoming elections.

Ichemati described the engagement as an important step towards resolving the political differences that had divided the state’s leadership and supporters.

He likened the crisis to a family disagreement, saying the emerging reconciliation offered an opportunity for both camps to move forward together.

He also said Fubara was aware of and supported the meeting, presenting it as part of broader efforts to restore cooperation between the two political camps.

Ichemati pledged that grassroots youths who had supported Fubara during the political crisis would now participate in the coalition’s mobilisation efforts.

Monday’s meeting followed another engagement on Sunday, when Wike led members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, the 23 local government council chairmen and other political stakeholders to meet Fubara at the governor’s private residence in Port Harcourt.

The renewed engagements form part of efforts to sustain reconciliation in Rivers State as political actors prepare for the 2027 elections. The extent to which the rapprochement will translate into lasting cooperation between the rival camps remains to be seen.