Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on Thursday made a decisive political declaration while hosting the Southern Traditional Rulers Council in Port Harcourt, throwing his full weight behind President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid in 2027 and urging the region's monarchs to rally behind the President's ongoing reform agenda. Addressing the gathering of traditional rulers from the 17 southern states, the governor declared that Nigeria is in capable hands under President Tinubu and that continuity in leadership was essential for the nation's economic recovery and development. Fubara called on stakeholders across the southern region to collaborate in pursuit of common goals, stressing that unity remains essential for achieving lasting development. He emphasised the importance of leadership continuity, stating that "it is not ideal to change the goalposts in the middle of the game."
The governor's remarks came as he declared open the meeting of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council, a forum that has brought together monarchs from the South-South, South-East, and South-West to deliberate on unity, security, and economic growth. Fubara noted that despite prevailing national challenges, the Tinubu administration has recorded meaningful progress in economic recovery and infrastructure delivery, citing projects such as the ongoing coastal road construction. The presence of the traditional rulers at the event, he said, highlights Rivers State's peaceful environment and its capacity to host major national engagements.
Earlier, the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, who chairs the Southern Traditional Rulers Council, said the gathering was aimed at promoting peace and reinforcing unity across the region. He pointed out that the council reflects Nigeria's rich diversity, with more than 400 dialects spoken across the southern states, describing the meeting as a clear example of unity in diversity. Ogunwusi added that the Port Harcourt session, which is the fourth in the series, allows traditional rulers to engage on shared values and collective interests that unite their people. He also noted that the council would explore ways to support the current administration in tackling security and economic issues, stating that "participation is voluntary, but it is vital for repositioning both the region and the nation."
Fubara explicitly linked his endorsement to the need to consolidate ongoing reforms, arguing that a change in leadership could derail the progress already made. This public declaration aligns with his previous remarks and actions that have positioned him as a key supporter of the President, following his political realignment and defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The governor's comments come amid ongoing political realignments in the state and signals a potential alignment of grassroots forces in Rivers State, setting the tone for broader regional dynamics as Nigeria moves toward the 2027 general elections.
The meeting drew prominent traditional rulers from the South-South, South-East, and South-West, including the council's co-chairman, the Obi of Obinugwu, Eze Cletus Illomuanya, and the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja. The gathering underscored the growing convergence of traditional institutions and political leadership in the South, as monarchs deliberated on how to leverage their influence to address security and economic challenges.
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