The All Progressives Congress (APC) South-South Presidential Campaign Mega Rally in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu‘s second-term ambition recorded an impressive political mobilisation on Saturday, November 7, 2026, as thousands of party faithful, political stakeholders, support groups and supporters from across the Niger Delta converged on the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Igwuruta-Ali, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The rally, organised under the auspices of the APC Rainbow Coalition and spearheaded by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, attracted prominent political figures, serving and former governors, members of the National Assembly, party leaders and representatives of various political pressure groups from the six South-South states.
Among the dignitaries at the historic political gathering were Senate President, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio; Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON; Chairman of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Distinguished Senator Magnus Ngei Abe; former Edo State Governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole; APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe; Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Senator Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas; and former Taraba State Governor, Mr. Jolly Nyame.
Also in attendance were Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara; other APC governors from across the country; and several political leaders and stakeholders from the South-South geopolitical zone.
The atmosphere at the 40,000-capacity Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium was electrifying as supporters arrived in large numbers from the 23 local government areas of Rivers State and neighbouring states. Political banners, flags, branded campaign materials and photographs bearing the images of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima dominated the stadium, creating an atmosphere of political solidarity and mobilisation.
Several support groups, including the City Boy Movement, Rainbow Coalition Movement, New Rivers Vision Women Team, and other political pressure groups, were conspicuously represented.
The New Rivers Vision Women Team, led by Honourable Justina Emereji, a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly seeking re-election, was among the groups that demonstrated strong organisational presence at the rally. Members of the physically challenged community also participated in the political gathering.
The arrival of prominent political personalities further heightened the excitement among supporters. First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu made her entry into the arena at approximately 12:40 p.m., while President Bola Ahmed Tinubu subsequently arrived at the venue, accompanied by Vice President Kashim Shettima and other top government officials.
The President’s visit was particularly significant as it provided an opportunity for the APC leadership and its political allies in the South-South to demonstrate their commitment to his 2027 re-election campaign.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, who also leads the Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State and coordinates the political mobilisation supporting President Tinubu, delivered the welcome address.
Wike expressed appreciation to the President and other distinguished personalities for honouring the occasion. He particularly commended the supporters who responded to the political mobilisation and turned out in impressive numbers to fill the stadium.
He praised the people of Rivers State for answering the clarion call and demonstrating their political commitment to the President’s second-term ambition.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, also addressed the gathering, reaffirming the political commitment of Rivers State to President Tinubu and the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The governor’s remarks attracted particular attention against the background of the political realignments and coalition-building efforts in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, also spoke on behalf of stakeholders from the South-South region. He highlighted what he described as the achievements of the Tinubu administration over the last three and a half years, urging Nigerians to appreciate the government’s economic and developmental policies.
Distinguished Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and former Senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District, spoke on behalf of Rivers State stakeholders.
Abe highlighted the economic policies and achievements of the Tinubu administration, particularly the removal of the petroleum subsidy, which he argued had strengthened government revenues and provided additional financial resources for development across the different tiers of government.
He explained the benefits of the policy and urged Rivers people to appreciate the economic reforms undertaken by the Federal Government. He expressed confidence that the people of Rivers State would reciprocate the President’s commitment by supporting his re-election bid in 2027.
The APC National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Felix Morka, also addressed the gathering on behalf of the party leadership, appreciating the political leaders, stakeholders and supporters who honoured the occasion.
The Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari, former Governor of Zamfara State, also delivered an address, highlighting the administration’s achievements and the importance of sustained political support for the President’s second-term ambition.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks, underscored the importance of honouring political agreements, declaring that an agreement remained an agreement. His comments were widely interpreted in the context of Governor Fubara’s pledge to mobilise Rivers State votes for President Tinubu.
Akpabio also offered prayers for President Tinubu, Rivers State and the entire South-South region, seeking God’s guidance, peace and continued progress for the country.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, was also present, alongside other distinguished members of the National Assembly and APC stakeholders.
The APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, was among the party’s top national leaders at the rally, further demonstrating the importance the ruling party attached to its South-South political mobilisation.
The Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum also featured among the prominent APC leaders associated with the campaign mobilisation.
The Rivers State APC governorship candidate, Rt. Hon. Kingsley Ogundu Chinda, also addressed the gathering, presenting the political vision of the Rainbow Coalition for the state.
Chinda, who spoke on behalf of the coalition’s candidates, emphasised the need for political cooperation, inclusiveness and peaceful coexistence among the different political interests that have come together under the Rainbow Coalition.
He expressed confidence that Rivers State would make a positive political statement by supporting President Tinubu’s second-term ambition. He also spoke about the prospects of an inclusive administration that would accommodate different political interests, irrespective of party affiliation, gender or religious background.
The musical dimension of the rally added colour and entertainment to the political spectacle as Port Harcourt-born freestyle Afrobeat musician Duncan Mighty electrified the atmosphere with scintillating performances.
His rendition of popular songs, particularly ‘I’m a Port Harcourt Boy’, generated excitement among the crowd and reinforced the cultural identity and entertainment heritage of the Garden City.
When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu eventually addressed the mammoth gathering, he defended his administration’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of the petroleum subsidy, while highlighting the financial difficulties inherited by his government upon assuming office in May 2023.
The President recalled that 27 out of Nigeria’s 36 states were experiencing difficulties meeting their salary obligations when he assumed office, with workers and their families bearing the consequences of the financial crisis.
He maintained that the situation had improved under his administration, arguing that the economic reforms had helped restore financial stability and strengthened the capacity of governments to meet their obligations.
Tinubu defended the removal of the petroleum subsidy, explaining that the decision was necessary to prevent further deterioration of the nation’s economy.
He also commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, for his political commitment and dogged support for his administration.
The President praised Wike’s political mobilisation efforts and acknowledged his contribution to strengthening the political structure supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Addressing the people of Rivers State, Tinubu urged eligible voters to take responsibility for the country’s political future by participating actively in the 2027 general elections.
He reminded the electorate that the power to determine the country’s leadership rested with them through their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
In his appeal to the supporters, the President urged them to use their PVCs to vote for the APC and sustain what he described as progressive economic development and national transformation. He took a jab at those he said ruined the economy, which he is currently fixing, and asked Rivers State citizens to continue supporting his administration as he marches to the 2027 Presidential election on January 16, 2027.
He further assured Nigerians of his commitment to building a stronger economy and consolidating the achievements of his administration.
The President’s address brought the political engagement to a close at approximately 2:50 p.m., following a succession of speeches by national party leaders, governors, past governors, including Delta State Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, political stakeholders and other distinguished personalities.
The Port Harcourt mega rally was another major political mobilisation exercise by the APC and its Rainbow Coalition allies in the South-South geopolitical zone ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Beyond the speeches, political declarations and entertainment, the gathering provided a platform for the ruling party to consolidate its grassroots structures, strengthen political alliances and demonstrate its determination to secure substantial electoral support across the Niger Delta region.
For Rivers State, the rally was particularly significant as political leaders from different backgrounds and affiliations came together under the Rainbow Coalition to project a common political direction in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election ambition.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu finally promised Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara a place for his sacrifices in maintaining peace amid political disagreements between him and his political family, FCT Minister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
Emeka Amaefula +234(0)8111813069
