The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed reports suggesting that the “Rainbow Coalition” in Rivers State has already endorsed a candidate for the 2027 governorship election.

 

 

Speaking on Saturday at a luncheon for candidates of the coalition in Port Harcourt, Wike said the political alliance had only reached a consensus on supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that no decision has been made regarding the state’s next governor.

 

“The Rainbow Coalition, we have not chosen who will be the governor of Rivers State. But we have party candidates who have emerged under the Rainbow Coalition,” Wike said.

 

 

“The only decision we have taken is that we are going to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

 

The FCT Minister cautioned aspirants and their supporters against celebrating prematurely, saying such claims could create a misleading impression about the coalition’s position and his role as a member of the People’s Democratic Party.

 

 

According to him, the coalition remains a broad-based political platform comprising members of the All Progressives Congress, People’s Democratic Party, Labour Party and Action Alliance.

 

Wike noted that all candidates who have emerged from the participating parties remain eligible for consideration, adding that the coalition’s leadership would collectively determine its eventual position ahead of the election.

 

He urged members of the various political blocs to continue mobilising at the grassroots level until a formal decision is reached.

 

The minister also criticised what he described as years of negative publicity surrounding Rivers politics, accusing some activists, commentators and media organisations of benefiting from political instability in the state.

 

According to Wike, the Rainbow Coalition was created to foster unity and development across Rivers State, regardless of political affiliation.

 

“God said no, we must come together as a people, irrespective of our political leanings. What is important is that we must talk about the development of our state. We must talk about the unity of our state,” he said.

 

Wike further took a swipe at smaller political parties, including the African Democratic Congress, arguing that political rhetoric and defections alone do not translate into electoral strength.

 

He maintained that only the APC, PDP and Labour Party have demonstrated the organisational capacity and experience required to successfully contest elections on a national scale.