A former Chairman of the Caretaker Committee in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Chijioke Ihunwo, has promised to back the candidates of the Rainbow Coalition and President Bola Tinubu’s reelection.

Ihunwo, who is a staunch ally of Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State, said his decision followed the governor’s call for reconciliation and unity.

Featuring on TVC’s Beyond the Headlines, Ihunwo said he was following Fubara’s instructions to back the coalition.

The Rainbow Coalition is a political group in Rivers State headed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

However, he said, “Our governor has said there is peace in Rivers State and that we need to move forward.” If you really back him, you need to stand with him in the Rainbow Coalition. That is what we are doing to bring peace back to our state.

“I am following the governor because he is my principal. No matter what he tells me to do, I will follow his instructions. We are going to work together to make sure every member of the Rainbow Coalition gets elected, including President.”

Ihunwo said the governor has told his supporters to back Tinubu and all the candidates from the coalition.

He said he would return to Obio/Akpor to mobilise support for the coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.

The factional presidential candidate and National Chairman of Accord Party, Professor Christopher Imumolen, says President Bola Tinubu is well positioned to win the 2027 presidential election because of his reforms, leadership and growing nationwide support.

Imumolen stated this at a news conference in Lagos on Friday, where he formally announced his withdrawal from the 2027 presidential race and endorsed Tinubu for a second term.

He said the decision followed extensive consultations with the party’s leadership and members.

Imumolen said that national interest should always take precedence over personal ambition and partisan considerations.

According to him, Tinubu’s re-election is inevitable because Nigerians are beginning to appreciate the long-term benefits of the administration’s reform agenda despite prevailing economic challenges.

“Tinubu will win because of his people-oriented programmes and the massive support he has received from different parts of the country.

“There is focus. Let us forget about the challenges of inflation and security. There must be progress

“If another person comes in 2027,he will have to start all over again.

“There must be continuity. He has identified the challenges and we need to move from where we are to the next phase. That is why we are supporting him and he will win.My support is total” Imumolen said.

He said the President’s reform agenda closely aligned with his own manifesto, especially in economic transformation, education, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, industrialisation and national development.

Imumolen said the party endorsed him for ten reasons  and after reviewing the administration’s performance and Nigeria’s future development needs

He said the first three reasons were Tinubu’s courage in implementing difficult economic reforms, demonstrated leadership capacity and commitment to progressive governance through continuity of development projects.

According to him, the fourth, fifth and sixth reasons were deliberate youth empowerment, bridging generational leadership and appointing competent individuals into strategic public offices.

He said the seventh, eighth and ninth reasons were placing national interest above personal ambition, ensuring policy continuity, political stability and sustained reforms, and demonstrating transparency through the party’s early endorsement.

Imumolen said the tenth reason was the party’s conviction that collaboration in the national interest would strengthen democracy and accelerate national development.

He said no opposition presidential candidate, including those of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and National Democratic Congress, NDC, possessed a stronger prospect than Tinubu.

Imumolen commended the administration for appointing young Nigerians into strategic positions, saying the President had demonstrated confidence in the country’s younger generation.

According to him, the appointments have created opportunities for young people to contribute meaningfully to governance and national development.

Imumolen reiterated that his political aspiration had always been driven by service to Nigeria rather than the pursuit of public office.

He said continuity in governance remained essential for attracting investment, creating jobs, strengthening institutions and sustaining ongoing reforms across the country.

Imumolen said the party announced its endorsement ahead of the election to demonstrate openness and provide clarity to its members and supporters.

He dismissed claims that the endorsement resulted from weak political structures, insisting the decision was based entirely on performance and national interest.

A coalition of Nigerian students and civil society organisations has called on the United States, United Kingdom and other members of the international community to immediately urge the Federal Government to ensure a credible and transparent election in Osun State on August 15, 2026.

The coalition made the call on Friday through Olayinka Dada and Igwe Ude-Umanta, who spoke on its behalf at the United States Embassy in Abuja.

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