Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has thrown his weight behind the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing the need for continuity to consolidate ongoing reforms and development strides.
Fubara made the declaration on Thursday in Port Harcourt while hosting members of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council, drawn from the 17 southern states, at a meeting focused on unity, security, and economic growth.
The governor acknowledged prevailing economic and social challenges but maintained that the current administration has made measurable progress in stabilising the economy and advancing infrastructure, pointing to flagship initiatives such as the coastal road project.
“It is not ideal to change the goalposts in the middle of the game,” Fubara said, stressing that policy consistency and leadership continuity are critical to sustaining reforms.
He called on stakeholders across the southern region to close ranks in pursuit of shared development objectives, emphasising that unity remains indispensable for long-term progress.
Fubara also highlighted the significance of the high-level gathering, noting that the presence of traditional rulers underscored the relative peace in Rivers State and its capacity to host national engagements.
Earlier, the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, who chairs the council, said the forum was convened to deepen unity and promote peaceful coexistence across the region. He described the council as a reflection of Nigeria’s rich diversity, with over 400 dialects spoken in the southern states.
According to Ogunwusi, the Port Harcourt meeting marks the fourth in the series, following previous sessions in Imo, Ogun, and Lagos states, and serves as a platform for traditional rulers to deliberate on shared values and collective interests.
He added that the council would explore avenues to support the federal government in tackling security and economic challenges, noting that participation, though voluntary, is vital for national development.
The meeting was attended by prominent monarchs from the South-South, South-East, and South-West, including co-chairman Cletus Illomuanya and the Olubadan of Ibadan, Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.
