Governor of Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers has called on Nigerians to rally behind President Bola Tinubu for a second term in office, citing the need to sustain what he described as a “bold, daring and ambitious vision” for inclusive and sustainable national development.
Fubara made the appeal on Thursday in Port Harcourt while declaring open a meeting of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council.
He praised Tinubu as a “dedicated and highly patriotic” leader, insisting that continuity in leadership would allow ongoing reforms and development initiatives to fully mature.
Reflecting on the administration’s performance over the past three years, the governor pointed to economic reforms and infrastructure projects as signs of progress.
He expressed confidence that more achievements would follow under the Renewed Hope Agenda if the president secures re-election in 2027.
“We are all witnesses to the transformation of our battered economy and the ongoing infrastructural revolution, including the remarkable coastal road project in the southern and other parts of the country in just three years,” he said.
“Although challenges remain in certain regions, we all trust in Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and dedication to safeguarding our nation, transforming the economy and delivering equitable development to all regions.”
Drawing an analogy from sports, Fubara added: “In football, the saying goes that no coach changes a winning team.
”Therefore, Nigerians have no choice but to support President Tinubu at this crucial time and work together to re-elect him in 2027 to continue implementing his bold, daring and ambitious vision for the inclusive and sustainable development of our nation.”
Welcoming traditional rulers to Rivers State, the governor said their presence underscored the prevailing peace and stability in the state, as well as the unity among southern communities.
“Although we are ethnically, culturally and linguistically diverse to some extent, the beauty lies in the fact that we are all committed to being part and parcel of an ever-indivisible Nigeria, despite our differences,” he noted.
“As a region, we have a duty to build our future together and promote the collective interests of our people for a better life which we can achieve more rapidly through collaboration with the Federal Government.”
He also stressed that stronger cooperation among southern states would create opportunities for knowledge sharing and joint action toward peace, security and development.
“Similarly, southern cooperation and solidarity will offer a clearer and more practical pathway for sharing knowledge and ideas, working together to realise the common goals and aspirations of our people for sustainable peace, security, and development,” he said.
Fubara also acknowledged the critical role of traditional rulers, describing them as key intermediaries between government and the grassroots.
He commended their contributions to peacebuilding and urged them to remain focused on advancing the cultural, economic and political interests of the region.
The governor encouraged the royal fathers to engage in meaningful deliberations that would strengthen unity and drive development not only in Southern Nigeria but across the country.
The meeting brought together traditional rulers from the South-South, South-East and South-West geopolitical zones, with discussions centred on the role of traditional institutions in promoting cohesion, peace and development.
Among those in attendance were the Chairman of the Council, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; Co-Chairman, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya; Oba Rashidi Ladoja; and the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Chike Worlu Wodo, among others.
