Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has declared an end to the political crisis in the state, throwing his weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid and the governorship ambition of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Kingsley Chinda, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The governor also announced that he had joined the Rainbow Coalition, a political alliance initiated by his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to advance the interests of the APC in Rivers State.
Mr Fubara made the declaration on Wednesday during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Riven Medical Industries Project in Port Harcourt.
He said the political forces previously at loggerheads in the state had resolved their differences and agreed to work together for peace, stability and development.
Calling on his supporters to embrace reconciliation, the governor urged them to support Tinubu, Chinda and other APC candidates in the 2027 elections.
“We have made peace in the state, and I’m supporting our Rainbow Coalition. President Bola Tinubu is our President, and is the one we are supporting.
“OK Chinda is the governorship candidate that I am supporting, and anybody who believes in me will support him and every other candidate that is under the Rainbow Coalition.”
He added:
“I’ve gone back to our family. So, please, whoever you are, give your total support to the Rainbow Coalition. We need to move forward. The time of war is over. It is time for peace, and this peace is taking us to another level.”
The governor stressed that he would not be associated with any political movement capable of causing division in the state.
“I’m not party to anything that will bring any form of disunity in this state. I’ve done what I need to do, and we are moving forward.”
Background to Rivers political crisis
The political feud between Mr Fubara and Mr Wike began in late 2023 following a power struggle after Wike became Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
The crisis led to a split in the Rivers State House of Assembly, impeachment threats against Fubara and prolonged political tensions.
In 2025, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly. Although the suspension was later lifted, political disagreements continued ahead of preparations for the 2027 elections.
During the APC governorship primaries, Fubara obtained nomination forms but did not participate after failing to secure approval from the party’s national leadership. Kingsley Chinda eventually emerged as the party’s candidate.
Mr Wike subsequently endorsed Chinda and unveiled the Rainbow Coalition, bringing together APC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates for the 2027 elections.
Governor seeks investment commitment
Speaking further, Mr Fubara described the Riven Medical Industries Project as a major boost for Rivers State’s economy but warned against a repeat of previous investment failures that resulted in abandoned projects and litigation.
He said his administration approved the project because it was convinced the investors possessed the capacity to revive the facility, create employment opportunities and promote industrial development.
The governor urged the investors to complete the first phase of the project within three months and appealed to host communities and the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area to support the initiative.
He also pledged continued government support to ensure the project’s success.
Pharmaceutical manufacturing project
The Riven Medical Industries Project is a public-private partnership between the Rivers State Government and Enbay Pharmaceutical Industries Limited.
Implemented through Riven Medical Industries Limited, the project aims to revive the former Integrated Medical Industries into a modern pharmaceutical manufacturing complex.
When completed, the facility will produce pharmaceutical formulations, gelatine capsules, intravenous infusions and active pharmaceutical ingredients, boosting Nigeria’s local drug manufacturing capacity and reducing dependence on imported medicines.
The project is also expected to create jobs, facilitate technology transfer, attract investment and strengthen the country’s healthcare and pharmaceutical value chains.
A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi, said the project would promote industrial growth, economic diversification, improved healthcare delivery and strategic partnerships in Rivers State.
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