The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has urged supporters of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to rally behind President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, saying the state stands to benefit more from aligning with the Federal Government.

Wike made the appeal on Monday during an interactive meeting with Fubara-aligned supporters and youth leaders in Port Harcourt, where he called for reconciliation among political groups and stronger support for Tinubu.

He urged party faithful, youth groups and grassroots stakeholders to put past disagreements behind them and unite behind the President, arguing that Rivers State could secure more federal appointments and infrastructure projects by delivering a strong electoral performance.

“All I want to hear in this state is Tinubu and nothing but Tinubu. If we play the role we are playing now, and we are one of the first three states that get the highest number of votes, we will get more of the appointments,” Wike said.

The former Rivers governor said the Tinubu administration had already provided Rivers with significant federal appointments, adding that a stronger show of support for the President would create further opportunities, particularly for young people in the state.

He maintained that his political calculations were driven by the need to ensure Rivers remained influential in national affairs and that its interests were not neglected by successive administrations.

Wike also cited infrastructure projects, including the Bonny road, as evidence of the Federal Government’s commitment to developing the state.

Addressing divisions within the political camps, the minister acknowledged that disagreements and rumours were inevitable in the process of building alliances. He, however, called for calm and reconciliation, assuring those who felt marginalised that committees had been established to resolve outstanding issues.

“We are talking for survival and growth,” he said, urging local government youth leaders to return to their communities, mend political fences and prepare for the formation of campaign committees ahead of the 2027 elections and Tinubu’s planned visit to the state.

“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,” Wike added.

Earlier, the former Mayor of Port Harcourt, Ezebunwo Ichemati, who spoke on behalf of Fubara’s supporters, pledged the group’s readiness to work with Wike and the Rainbow Coalition to secure victory for Tinubu and other candidates in the 2027 elections.

Ichemati described the meeting as a turning point in Rivers politics, saying it signalled growing unity between the Wike and Fubara camps as preparations for the general elections gathered momentum.

He said the group was committed to supporting Tinubu and other candidates backed by the coalition, including Kingsley Chinda, whom he identified as a contender for the Rivers governorship.

Describing the political crisis that divided the camps as a family disagreement, Ichemati said the parties had decided to move beyond their differences and work together.

“Every family has its own peculiarity in problems. What matters most is that the family comes together, the children watch what has divided them, and decide to move forward,” he said.

He likened the reconciliation to a family resolving a dispute between parents, adding that the Wike and Fubara camps were now prepared to rebuild their relationship.

Ichemati described Wike as the leading political figure in Rivers State and credited both the FCT minister and Governor Fubara with helping to facilitate the peace arrangement.

He also said Fubara was aware of and supported the meeting with Wike.

According to him, the grassroots youths who played prominent roles during the political crisis would now be mobilised to support the coalition.

“The state has been held back for a very long time. Now that you are bringing this peace initiative down to the youths, who are the foot soldiers, I want to assure you that we commit ourselves to join our brothers in the Rainbow Coalition,” he said.

“What you see here today will transform into a force that will deliver. We don’t want to say much. All we can say is: test us, try us, and we will deliver,” Ichemati added.