“Don’t Pretend You’re With Me” – Fubara Exposes Double Dealers In His Camp

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has finally drawn a red line for his supporters, warning those who pretend to be with him while secretly working against him to stop the double-dealing or leave his camp.

Fubara gave the explosive warning on Thursday during the inauguration of the Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, Rainbow Coalition, in Port Harcourt.

The atmosphere at the event was tense as the governor spoke directly to his followers, making it clear that his decision to align with the Rainbow Coalition is final and not open to debate.

Addressing party members and supporters, the governor urged those whose names were not included in the campaign council list not to feel aggrieved, explaining that there were still sub-committees to be constituted and that the list could be updated.

But he quickly shifted to a tougher tone, insisting that loyalty must now be proven by action, not just by words.

“We still have sub-committees. The list can also be updated so you don’t have any problems to worry about. The most important thing is to work with your heart sincerely.

“Don’t openly say you’re with me and behold you’re doing a different thing. I’m here, and I say it boldly anywhere, any day. And anybody who says he is not with me, gently go your way,” he said.

Fubara Says Past Is Gone, Future Is Ahead

Acknowledging that some of his supporters might find it difficult to accept the new political direction, Fubara urged them to put the past behind them and embrace the future.

“Don’t go behind and say this is Fubara, no, no, no. I have said it. It might be difficult but we have gone past that. We are looking at the future and what God holds for us,” he added.

Sources at the event said the governor’s words sent a clear message to those who have been playing both sides since his long-running crisis with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

For months, many of his supporters were unsure where he stood, but Fubara has now made it clear that there is no middle ground anymore.

The governor charged members of the campaign council to work together to achieve their political objectives, expressing confidence that the coalition would record more votes in the forthcoming elections than it secured in 2023.

“Nothing is impossible. Provided it’s something that has to do with life, it is possible if we take it as a serious responsibility, a serious task that must be achieved, we will come out with a stronger vote than what we did in 2023.

“It is only for us to say yes, we want to do it. And I am very sure that with the strategy of these forthcoming elections we are going to come out with good results better than what we had before,” he said.

Fubara also thanked Wike and other political leaders for their efforts in establishing the campaign council.

Wike Unveils New Grassroots Campaign Style

Earlier, Wike, who inaugurated the council, announced plans to establish similar campaign structures across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State.

He said the coalition would abandon conventional campaign rallies in favour of direct engagement with residents through community gatherings, family meetings and age-grade associations.

“We are going away from that ceremonial campaign style. When we are going to Gokana today, we just stay in one field and begin to talk to those we already know.

“It is going to be different. This time around we are going round to communities, to family meetings, to age-grade meetings and other informal sects to talk to them, not necessarily those we meet with every day.

“You and I meet every day; then tomorrow again we gather in one place, we say we are holding a rally. We must depart from that,” Wike said.

The minister commended Fubara for attending the inauguration and other engagements of the council despite his busy schedule.

Wike, who is also the National Leader of the PDP/Rainbow Coalition, said members of the campaign council were selected based on their capacity to participate in its activities and deliver results.

He urged them to mobilise support for APC and Rainbow Coalition candidates in the 2027 presidential, governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections.

He further disclosed that local government campaign councils would soon be inaugurated to strengthen the coalition’s grassroots mobilisation.