The political realignment ahead of the 2027 elections in Rivers State took another turn on Sunday as Governor Siminalayi Fubara visited former governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in Port Harcourt.
Fubara was accompanied by Dr Sam Sam Jaja and was received at Wike’s residence by Kingsley Chinda, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 election, and former governorship aspirant Magnus Abe. The meeting was disclosed by Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka.
The encounter is significant because of the history between Wike and Fubara, whose political relationship deteriorated after Fubara became governor in 2023. Their disagreement triggered a prolonged political crisis in Rivers State before subsequent reconciliation efforts began.
Fubara has recently adopted a more conciliatory position, publicly declaring that the political differences that divided the state had been resolved. In July, he announced his support for the Rainbow Coalition associated with Wike and endorsed Chinda for the 2027 governorship contest.
The governor had also urged his supporters to identify with the coalition and backed President Bola Tinubu’s bid for another term in office.
The latest meeting therefore comes amid efforts to consolidate the emerging political alliance ahead of the 2027 elections. It could also strengthen Chinda’s position as the coalition’s preferred candidate in the Rivers governorship race.
Earlier this month, a Rainbow Coalition reconciliation committee led by Magnus Abe began consultations with Fubara and members of his political camp as part of efforts to bring previously divided groups together. Chinda was among those involved in the discussions.
The political development is important because Rivers is a major oil-producing state and one of the key political battlegrounds in the South-South region.
Wike served as governor of Rivers from 2015 to 2023 before Fubara succeeded him. Their subsequent dispute became one of the most prominent political conflicts in the state.
With both figures now appearing together publicly, attention will focus on whether their reconciliation can translate into a durable political structure capable of influencing the 2027 governorship election and other contests in Rivers State.
