On Tuesday, 27 October 2024, Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara addressed a crowd at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt and announced that he would no longer be referred to as the leader of his supporters. He urged everyone present to accept the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as the single leader for all political formations operating in the state.
What was the setting of the declaration?
The statement was delivered during the official unveiling of the Rainbow Coalition, a new political alliance that brings together former factions of the ruling party and other groups. The event marked the coalition’s first public appearance and was attended by party officials, civil society representatives, and media personnel.
Key points made by Governor Fubara
- He acknowledged that some members of his former support base still addressed him as “my leader.”
- He emphasized that the coalition now functions as “one house,” eliminating any ambiguity about leadership hierarchy.
- While he remains the governor, he clarified that the coalition’s overarching leader is Minister Wike.
- He appealed for an immediate end to the practice of repeatedly asking, “my leader, my leader,” urging that the matter be settled on the spot.
Direct quote
> “I might be your oga (governor), but we have a common leader now. So please, > going forward, this issue of ‘my leader, my leader, my leader’, I want it > resolved here and now,” Fubara said to the assembled crowd.
Why the shift in leadership acknowledgment?
The move is intended to solidify the Rainbow Coalition’s internal cohesion ahead of upcoming state elections and to present a united front against opposition parties. By positioning Minister Wike—who also serves as the governor of Rivers State and holds the federal portfolio for the capital territory—as the coalition’s figurehead, the alliance hopes to leverage his national profile and political experience.
Background context
Nyesom Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, was appointed Minister of the Federal Capital Territory in 2023. His dual role in state and federal politics has made him a pivotal figure in the region’s power dynamics. The Rainbow Coalition, launched in late October, seeks to merge various splinter groups that emerged after internal disputes within the ruling party earlier this year.
The announcement was captured on video and later shared on social media platforms, including Instagram, where the post quickly garnered attention from political observers and the general public.