President Bola Tinubu on Saturday assured Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, that he would not regret the sacrifices and concessions he made to restore peace to the state.
He commended the governor’s maturity and respect for constituted authority during the resolution of the prolonged political crisis in the state.
The President also praised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, describing him as an exceptionally hardworking development partner whose commitment to infrastructure and national development had continued to strengthen his administration.
Speaking on Saturday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, Tinubu thanked Rivers people for supporting his election in 2023 and appealed for a renewed mandate in 2027, assuring them that his administration’s economic reforms were laying the foundation for sustainable prosperity.
Reflecting on the political crisis that had divided the state, particularly the disagreement between Fubara and his predecessor, Wike, the President commended both leaders for embracing reconciliation and helping to restore political stability.
He particularly applauded Fubara for demonstrating maturity and respecting the intervention of political elders in resolving the disagreement.
Addressing the governor directly, Tinubu said, “Your Excellency, the host governor of today, I want to thank you specifically for your maturity and respect for the wisdom of elders.
“When we intervened, you respected our position. You maintained peace. You are a committed democrat. You will not regret what you have done, as long as all of us are alive,” Tinubu assured.
The President also thanked Rivers residents for maintaining peace and stability throughout the political disagreement, which he described as a misunderstanding within a political family.
He said restoring harmony was important to sustaining the state’s development and enabling its people to benefit from government programmes.
Turning to Wike, Tinubu acknowledged the FCT Minister’s contributions to infrastructure development and his commitment to the administration’s success.
“Today, I have many of you, Rivers people, in government, working so hard, particularly Nyesom Wike.
“Nyesom Wike is already a development partner of the Bola Tinubu administration. He’s doing a wonderful job, committed, very, very hardworking.
“A man with a mission who combines that with ambition. I hope you thank him for me for his contribution to the infrastructure development of our country,” he said.
Tinubu, who expressed delight at the massive turnout at the rally, said he had returned to Rivers primarily to appreciate the electorate for the support they gave him during the 2023 presidential election.
According to him, that support contributed significantly to the mandate on which he had governed the country since May 2023.
“I came purposely to thank you. Thank you on behalf of the All Progressives Congress, our party.
“Your response to our call has been great. Thank you for the last election, 2022-2023. You came out to support me and gave me the mandate that I use to govern today.
“You are a positive contributor. I must thank you for going out there to vote massively for the APC. Today again, I return here to say thank you and thank you,” he said.
The President said his decision to seek a second term was anchored on the belief that Nigerians appreciated the direction of his administration and trusted his commitment to improving their welfare.
Directing his message particularly at young Nigerians, Tinubu declared that the 2027 presidential election was fundamentally about their future rather than his personal political ambition.
He urged them to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and exercise their democratic rights to determine the country’s leadership and economic direction.
“To the youth of Nigeria, I’m looking at you. This election is about you. It’s not about me. Your future depends on this election.
“It is left to you to use the weapon you have, and that weapon is the PVC. If you have not collected yours, please go ahead and collect it.
“The weapon you have against poverty is to elect progressive development of our economy. That is what I’m pursuing,” he declared.
Tinubu assured young Nigerians that their education, welfare and acquisition of productive skills remained central to his administration’s development agenda.
He maintained that the government had begun laying the foundation for a period of greater economic opportunities, describing the emerging phase as Nigeria’s golden age.
“You believe in me. You believe that I care for you, especially all of you young people.
“Your education, your welfare, your skills are extremely important to me and to Nigeria.
“I assure you this: we have started the golden age. Prosperity is here,” he said.
Defending his administration’s economic reforms, the President recalled the difficult fiscal circumstances he inherited, recalling that 27 of the country’s 36 states were unable to meet their salary obligations when he assumed office.
He said the situation had severe consequences for families, markets and the wider economy because government employees supported numerous dependants whose livelihoods were tied to regular payment of salaries.
According to him, reforms undertaken since 2023 had helped reverse the deterioration and put the country on a path towards greater financial stability and economic prosperity.
“When I took over, 27 out of the 36 states were unable to pay salaries. You know what that means for family dependants, markets, and the population.
“But ever since, we have reversed the decay. We are all moving towards prosperity”, he said.
Tinubu also accused previous administrations of leaving behind enormous unpaid pension and gratuity obligations, insisting that his government was gradually addressing the liabilities to improve the welfare of retired workers.
He said pensioners who had waited for years to receive their entitlements were beginning to benefit from efforts to clear the outstanding payments.
“The people who governed before left unpaid pensions and gratuities in billions and trillions of naira.
“That is being cleared so that every family is included. We are sharing prosperity already.
“A retired engineer is receiving his gratuity right now. A retired worker is receiving a pension right now. A retired teacher is receiving a pension right now”, he said.
In a pointed attack on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the President accused politicians who had previously managed the nation’s economy of contributing to the difficulties they were now criticising.
He particularly questioned the circumstances surrounding the establishment of Atiku’s private university while he served as Vice President under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Tinubu alleged that public resources were used to establish the institution, challenging the former Vice President to explain how the university was financed and arguing that those seeking to govern Nigeria should be subject to scrutiny over their records and integrity.
“Those people talking about hunger, I’m cleaning up the mess, the greed. Atiku was one of them.
“Ask him how he built a university while he was in office as Vice President, in charge of our economy.
“Who built the university for him? It’s your money,” the President alleged.
He maintained that moral integrity and ethical conduct should remain essential requirements for anyone aspiring to occupy public office.
The rally also gave the President a chance to highlight the Federal Government’s infrastructure interventions in Rivers State, including the Bodo–Bonny Road and bridges across the Opobo Channel, which have improved road access between Bonny Island and the mainland.
The road was temporarily opened in December 2025.
Earlier, Governor Fubara pledged to mobilise at least three million votes for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, acknowledging Wike’s leadership of the political coalition supporting the President in Rivers State.
Wike, who coordinated the rally, also assured Tinubu that Rivers people had resolved to support his re-election, citing the administration’s infrastructure investments and political appointments benefiting the state.
The FCT Minister said the administration had given Rivers indigenes no fewer than 47 political appointments and argued that the projects and appointments demonstrated the President’s commitment to the state.
Tinubu, who repeatedly thanked the cheering supporters for their reception and continued political support, concluded his address by reaffirming his affection for the people of Rivers State.
“Thank you for bearing with me. Thank you for your interaction with me. I love you all. God bless you,” he said.
