Governor Fubara Endorses President Tinubu’s Re-election During Southern Traditional Rulers Meeting in Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara urges support for President Tinubu’s second term during a Port Harcourt summit of southern traditional rulers.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 23, 2026, 11:17 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Politics Nigeria

A Call for Political Continuity

During a high-profile meeting of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council on Thursday, April 23, 2026, Governor Siminalayi Fubara signaled a major political alignment by backing President Bola Tinubu for a second term. Addressing the assembly in Port Harcourt, Fubara maintained that despite the prevailing economic and social challenges, the presidency is in "capable hands." He utilized a sporting metaphor to illustrate his point, stating that "it is not ideal to change the goalposts in the middle of the game," referring to the ongoing structural and economic reforms initiated by the administration.

Recognition of Infrastructure and Recovery Efforts

The governor pointed to specific achievements as justification for his support, particularly citing the progress of the coastal road construction and broader economic recovery initiatives. He urged the traditional rulers and southern stakeholders to prioritize national stability over short-term political shifts. According to Fubara, the consistency of governance is essential for ensuring that long-term infrastructure projects reach completion and that the Renewed Hope Agenda delivers its intended benefits to the Nigerian people.

Unity in Diversity Among Southern Monarchs

The meeting, chaired by the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, brought together traditional leaders from the South-South, South-East, and South-West. The Ooni emphasized that the council serves as a demonstration of "unity in diversity," representing a region where over 400 dialects are spoken. He noted that the Port Harcourt session—the fourth in a series including previous meetings in Imo, Ogun, and Lagos—is a voluntary but vital platform for repositioning the southern region within the national framework.