Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has thrown his weight behind the leadership of Bola Tinubu, calling for broad support for the president’s re-election to sustain ongoing reforms and development initiatives.
Fubara made the appeal on Thursday in Port Harcourt during a meeting of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council, which brought together monarchs from the 17 southern states to deliberate on unity, security, and economic growth.
Addressing the gathering, the governor acknowledged existing national challenges but maintained that the current administration has made notable strides in economic recovery and infrastructure delivery. He referenced key projects, including the ongoing coastal road construction, as evidence of progress.
He stressed the need for continuity in governance, warning against disrupting ongoing policies. According to him, “it is not ideal to change the goalposts in the middle of the game.”
Fubara further urged stakeholders across the southern region to strengthen collaboration in pursuit of shared objectives, noting that unity remains critical to achieving long-term development. He also highlighted that the turnout of traditional rulers underscored Rivers State’s peaceful atmosphere and its readiness to host major national engagements.
Earlier, the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, who chairs the council, said the meeting was convened to promote peace and reinforce unity across the southern region.
Ogunwusi noted that the council represents Nigeria’s cultural diversity, with over 400 dialects spoken across the southern states, describing the forum as a practical demonstration of unity in diversity. He added that the Port Harcourt meeting was the fourth in the series, following previous sessions in Imo State, Ogun State, and Lagos State.
According to him, the platform enables traditional rulers to engage on shared values and collective interests, while also exploring ways to support government efforts in addressing security and economic challenges.
He noted that participation in the council is voluntary but crucial to repositioning both the region and the country.
The meeting attracted prominent monarchs from the South-South, South-East, and South-West, including co-chairman, the Obi of Obinugwu, Eze Cletus Illomuanya, and the Olubadan of Ibadan, Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.
