The Magnus Abe-led reconciliation committee of the Rainbow Coalition has started talks aimed at resolving differences between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his supporters and other members of the coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The committee held its first meeting at the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt on Sunday as part of efforts to bring the different political camps together.
The reconciliation process followed an earlier announcement by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that the coalition would engage with Fubara. Wike had also disclosed that the governor had provided a date for the meeting with the committee.
Those present at the meeting included some political allies of Wike, such as former Rivers State lawmaker Samuel Nwanosike, former Ambassador Desmond Akawor and House of Representatives member Kelechi Nwogu.
The governor’s camp was represented by former Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Tamunosiki Gogo-Jaja.
Also in attendance was the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate for the 2027 election, Kingsley Chinda.
The reconciliation committee has 13 members, with Abe serving as chairman. The members are expected to work towards reducing the political differences among the various groups within the coalition.
Details of what was discussed at the meeting were not made public as of Sunday night. A source said the first meeting was mainly limited to members selected to take part in the reconciliation process.
Attempts to obtain information on the outcome of the meeting were unsuccessful, as some of those contacted did not respond to calls.
The development comes after Fubara recently announced that he had returned to his political group and declared support for Chinda ahead of the 2027 elections.
Fubara also called on his supporters to join the Rainbow Coalition and work for Chinda’s emergence in the election.
Some of the governor’s supporters have already indicated plans to join the coalition. They include former Obio/Akpor Local Government Area Chairman Chijioke Ihunwo and former Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Affairs, Darlington Orji.
The latest reconciliation effort is expected to bring together the different political interests within Rivers State as preparations for the 2027 elections gather pace.