How Fubara Convinced Us to Dump Atiku for Tinubu – Ex-Minister Abiye Sekibo

Former Minister of Transport, Chief Abiye Sekibo, has revealed that he and other political leaders in Rivers State abandoned former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu due to the influence of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Speaking on Thursday at the inauguration of the rehabilitated Borokiri Fire Service facility in Port Harcourt, Sekibo credited Fubara for persuading them to align with the Tinubu administration. He also urged President Tinubu to disregard claims that the Rivers governor is surrounded by Atiku loyalists, emphasizing that Rivers people have always supported the central government.

“Mr. President, our own President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, lend me your ears. We, the Rivers people, have always supported the government at the center. This governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has convinced Rivers people that they must stand with their President, and we do stand with you,” Sekibo said.

He acknowledged that some may still view him and others as Atiku loyalists, but insisted that Fubara had successfully shown them that supporting Tinubu was the right decision. “There might be persons telling you stories, especially when they see people like me, who were core Atiku men. They will say, ‘Don’t you see it is Atiku people that are with the governor?’ But there are also Atiku people that are with them there in Abuja,” he noted.

Sekibo further emphasized the significance of Fubara’s leadership, pointing out that for the first time in 24 years, an Ijaw politician from Rivers State has become governor. “The elections delivered this governor, our son. For the first time in 24 years, the Ijaw nation in more than eight local government areas of Rivers State have an opportunity of having one of their own as governor. We stand with him, we have no choice,” he added.

He praised Fubara’s commitment to the people, particularly his ability to maintain stability in the state despite financial challenges. Sekibo commended the governor for ensuring that Rivers State remained peaceful and cooperative with the federal government.