The Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that signing the 2026 state budget signals a new chapter of cooperation, unity, and progress.
Fubara, who had a bitter political face-off with Nyesom Wike, the FCT minister after succeeding him as governor in 2023, also appreciated him, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and all Rivers people for their commitment.
“Today, I signed the ₦1.84 trillion Rivers State 2026 Appropriation Bill into Law, marking a new chapter of cooperation, unity and progress,” Fubara said.
The face-off between the governor and his former political godfather triggered a prolonged power struggle in Rivers, including disputes over the state House of Assembly and control of the state’s political machinery.
Their dispute eventually attracted the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, after which both sides began moving towards reconciliation.
Meanwhile, Fubara’s latest remarks, coupled with his recent political engagements, suggest that the relationship with Wike has entered a more cooperative phase, at least publicly.
Over the weekend, Fubara visited Wike at his Port Harcourt residence alongside the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Rivers State, Kingsley Chinda.
The visit came days after Fubara announced his membership of a Rivers political “rainbow coalition” involving various political parties and groups, with the stated objective of delivering President Bola Tinubu and candidates supported by the coalition in the 2027 elections.
