Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu advised stakeholders in the state to support candidates loyal to former Governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in order to maintain peace ahead of the party primaries.
Fubara made the revelation while responding to allegations that he backed candidates of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) during the primary elections. His remarks were reported by ARISE NEWS via its official X handle on January 28, 2026.
According to the governor, President Tinubu personally intervened during the build-up to the primaries, urging party members to rally behind Wike’s preferred candidates as a stabilizing measure for the state’s political climate.
“In the build-up to the primaries, the President intervened and asked everyone to support the candidates of the former governor and Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, for peace to reign,” Fubara was quoted as saying.
The governor’s clarification comes in the wake of the emergence of two Wike loyalists—Napoleo Ukalikpe and Mrs. Bulabari Henrietta Loolo—who secured the All Progressives Congress (APC) tickets for Ahoda East II Constituency and Khana Constituency II respectively.
Fubara emphasized that the intervention was purely in the interest of unity and stability, adding that members of the APC in Rivers State remain united.
He described the party in the state as “one big family,” insisting that efforts were being made to sustain harmony and collective purpose within its ranks.
