Ahead of the 2027 general elections, some key loyalists of the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, have reunited with the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike through his Rainbow Coalition.

Fubara’s key loyalists were those, who stood with and supported him throughout the period of political turbulence in Rivers caused by the protracted crisis between the governor and his estranged benefactor, Wike.

It was learnt that Darlington Orji and Collins Onunwo, who once held positions of responsibilities in Fubara’s disintegrated Simplified Family had abandoned the governor for Wike.

While Orji served as the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ikwere Local Government Area in 2024 and was appointed Special Adviser, Political Affairs in January 2026 by Fubara, Onunwo served as Commissioner for Transport.

They were said to have reunited with Wike and his Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 general election sparking mixed reactions from different stakeholders.

While some accused them of betraying the governor, others said their decisions were in order citing the peace agreement between the governor and the minister, which they said had closed the existing dichotomy between the duo.

There were indications that the leaders of the coalition were making efforts to bring back other key Fubara’s loyalists such as the governor’s former Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie; his former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Tammy Danagogo and Ichemati Ezebunwo among others.

There was however, reports that the former sacked Local Government Chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, Chijoke Ihunwo, had returned to Wike and his coalition.

But Ihunwo denied the report describing it as false, misleading and unverified; but failed to foreclose any future decision to make such move.

He said: “The image circulating on social media appears to be based on speculation rather than verified facts.

The public is advised to disregard unsubstantiated reports and rely only on official communications from me or credible news organizations before drawing conclusions.

“In an era of misinformation, it is important to verify information before sharing it. Let’s promote responsible journalism and avoid spreading fake news”.

Speaking on the matter, a broadcast Journalist, Preye Izogu, said with the recent return of Collins Onunwo and Darlington Orji to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike’s camp, questions emerging about whether key figures in the Simplified Movement, such as Edison Ehie and Tammy Danagogo, could also make a similar move.

He said: “If that ever happens, would it amount to a betrayal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara? Or would it simply reflect the Governor’s own repeated calls for reconciliation and peace in Rivers State?

Speaking recently in a programme, Voice of the City, hosted by Square Radio TV, Orji dismissed allegations that he betrayed Fubara insisting that every political decision he took was based on the governor’s own directives.

Orji said the allegations of betrayal were false, saying that Fubara personally instructed his political loyalists to support every APC candidate from the federal to the state levels.

He said the governor gave the directive during a meeting with his key political associates on June 3, 2026, where he discussed strategies ahead of the elections.

He said that his actions were in complete compliance with those instructions, stressing that it would have amounted to betrayal only if he had worked for candidates, who were not backed by Fubara.

Orji boasted that the top hierarchy of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) were mounting pressure on him to join them because of his political influence in Rivers.

He said despite the various offers and invitations, he chose to remain with the same political camp he belonged to before the Rivers political crisis, saying loyalty and consistency guided his decision.

Orji claimed that throughout the political crisis in Rivers, he never made any derogatory remarks against Wike.

He said though there were political disagreements, he believed the differences were in the past and should not continue to divide political actors in the state.

The former lawmaker urged political stakeholders to focus on peace, reconciliation and the development of Rivers State rather than dwelling on past political disagreements. (The Nation)

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