Former staunch supporter of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Chijioke Ihunwo, has explained his decision to join the Rainbow Coalition aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, insisting that he has not betrayed the governor.
Ihunwo, a former caretaker chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, said his decision was based on Fubara’s call for peace and reconciliation in Rivers State.
Speaking on TVC’s Beyond the Headlines programme on Thursday, Ihunwo said he remained loyal to Fubara and would follow the governor’s political direction.
“You are aware that my principal is the Governor of Rivers State, and he has said there is peace in Rivers State and that we need to move on as a state. If we truly support him, we should join him in the Rainbow Coalition,” he said.
Ihunwo, who previously appeared on the programme to accuse Wike’s camp of attempting to destabilise the state, said political alliances could change as circumstances evolve.
“My brother, let me tell you, in politics anything can happen. I have a principal who I am working with. He has said, ‘Let us sheathe our swords and move forward,'” he said.
He also rejected claims that he and other allies gave Fubara poor political advice during the Rivers crisis, saying he had a longstanding personal relationship with the governor and had supported his political activities since the 2023 governorship primary.
Ihunwo declined to revisit specific incidents from the political crisis, saying doing so would undermine the current effort to promote peace. He also dismissed calls for him to apologise to Wike and other political figures over his conduct during the dispute.
He said he would work with Wike’s supporters in Obio/Akpor ahead of the 2027 elections, following Fubara’s directive, and insisted that the political realignment should not be viewed as a victory or defeat for either side.
“For me, nobody is a loser and nobody is a winner. We are back to where we are because this state belongs to all of us and the governor wants to tow the line of peace,” Ihunwo said.
He maintained that his loyalty remained with Fubara, adding that he was not interested in seeking an elective position independently because he did not want to create further political challenges for the governor.
