President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has thanked the people of Rivers State for their support during the 2023 presidential election, while seeking their renewed backing in the January 16, 2027 election to sustain his administration’s programmes and reforms.
The President made the appeal on Saturday at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, where he addressed a mammoth crowd of supporters at a rally organised by the Rainbow Coalition led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Tinubu also commended Wike and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara for resolving their political differences, describing the reconciliation as a demonstration of maturity and respect for the intervention of political elders.
“During the political crisis caused by a misunderstanding in the family, I intervened on your behalf. I thank Governor Fubara, in particular, for his maturity, understanding, and respect for the wisdom of elders when we intervened. Fubara, you will not regret what you have done as long as all of us are alive,” the President said.
Addressing concerns about the economy, Tinubu said his administration was working to address inherited financial obligations, including unpaid pensions and gratuities, as part of efforts to ensure that Nigerians benefit from the country’s economic recovery.
“The people who governed before us left unpaid pensions and gratuities running into billions and trillions of Naira. We are clearing that backlog so that every family is included and we can share in the prosperity,” he stated.
The President further claimed that outstanding pension and salary obligations across 27 states had been cleared, giving beneficiaries greater certainty about their monthly payments.
He also challenged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his criticisms of the administration’s economic policies, questioning his record while in office.
“When those people talk about hunger, remember that I am cleaning up the mess they created. Atiku was one of them. Ask him how he built a private university while in office as Vice President in charge of our economy. Who funded the university for him? It was your money, your effort!” Tinubu said.
In his remarks, Vice President Kashim Shettima called on political leaders and supporters in Rivers State and the South-South region to support Tinubu’s re-election bid, citing the administration’s economic policies and development efforts.
Shettima pointed to improvements in the country’s foreign reserves, which he said had risen from approximately $3.9 billion to $60 billion within about three years. He also criticised opposition figures Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi over their political and economic positions.
Governor Fubara, in his address, pledged to mobilise three million votes for President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, assuring the President of his commitment to the Rainbow Coalition.
“Under the guidance and leadership of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, we will deliver not less than three million votes for you,” Fubara declared.
The governor also expressed appreciation to Tinubu for his intervention during the political crisis in Rivers State, promising continued support for the President.
“Thank you, Mr President, for standing by us at a most difficult time. A good gesture deserves reciprocity. As you have stood by us, we will stand by you,” he said.
Fubara noted that political supporters from both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were working together under the Rainbow Coalition.
Earlier, Wike described the massive turnout at the rally as evidence of support for Tinubu in Rivers State, insisting that the mobilisation was driven by residents of the state.
“Your Excellency, this is Rivers State’s rally. We did not mobilise anybody from any other state. You can see with your eyes that the people of Rivers State have already concluded and agreed that on January 16, they will vote for you,” the FCT Minister said.
Wike also thanked the President for appointing Rivers indigenes to key positions in the Federal Government and highlighted ongoing federal projects in the state, including the Bonny-Bodo Road and the Federal University of Environment in Ogoniland.
“Since the inception of democracy in 1999, Rivers people have never had it this way. We have no less than 47 political appointments from Mr President. So, who is our brother? Our brother is Bola Ahmed Tinubu because he has identified with the people of Rivers State,” he stated.
The FCT Minister also raised questions about the management of funds allocated to the Karibi Whyte Specialist Hospital project and the state’s fumigation budget during the administration of former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
The rally, held at the 40,000-capacity Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, attracted a large gathering of political leaders, party supporters and stakeholders, with the crowd extending beyond the stadium’s immediate surroundings.
Among the dignitaries present were First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu; wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda; and Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari.
Also in attendance were several state governors, Senators Magnus Abe, Adams Oshiomhole and Ifeanyi Okowa, members of the National Assembly, and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived in Port Harcourt from Akwa Ibom State, where he had earlier attended a political rally and commissioned projects executed by Governor Umo Eno’s administration.
The State House statement was issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on November 7, 2026.