Fubara Backs Tinubu’s Re-election, Calls for Unity at Southern Monarchs Meeting

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed confidence in Nigeria’s leadership under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging support for his re-election to sustain ongoing reforms and development efforts.

Fubara made the call on Thursday during a meeting of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council held in Port Harcourt, where monarchs from the 17 southern states gathered to deliberate on unity, security, and economic growth.

The governor noted that despite prevailing challenges, the current administration has made progress in economic recovery and infrastructure development, citing projects such as the coastal road construction.

He emphasised the need for leadership continuity, stating that “it is not ideal to change the goalposts in the middle of the game.”

Fubara urged stakeholders across the southern region to work together in pursuit of shared goals, stressing that unity remains critical to achieving sustainable development.

He also observed that the presence of traditional rulers at the meeting underscored the peaceful atmosphere in Rivers State and its capacity to host major national engagements.

Earlier, the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, who chairs the Southern Traditional Rulers Council, said the gathering was aimed at promoting peace and strengthening unity across the region.

He noted that the council reflects Nigeria’s diversity, with over 400 dialects spoken across the southern states, describing the meeting as a demonstration of unity in diversity.

Ogunwusi added that the Port Harcourt meeting was the fourth in the series, following previous sessions held in Imo, Ogun, and Lagos states.

According to him, the forum provides an avenue for traditional rulers to engage on shared values and collective interests affecting their people.

He further stated that the council would explore ways to support the current administration in addressing security and economic challenges, noting that participation is voluntary but crucial for repositioning both the region and the country.

The meeting was attended by prominent monarchs from the South-South, South-East, and South-West regions, including the council’s co-chairman, Cletus Illomuanya, and the Olubadan of Ibadan, Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.