Wike says Rivers coalition yet to pick 2027 governorship candidate

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that no governorship candidate has been chosen by the political alliance known as the “Rainbow Coalition” in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections, stressing that the eventual flag bearer will emerge through a collective decision of the coalition partners.

Speaking during a luncheon held in Port Harcourt for candidates aligned with the coalition, Wike dismissed speculation that any aspirant had already secured the alliance’s backing for the governorship race.

According to him, the coalition—which comprises the Peoples Democratic Party, All Progressives Congress, Labour Party and Action Alliance—has only agreed on supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while discussions on a governorship candidate remain open.

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

The former Rivers governor described the coalition as the dominant political force in the state and suggested that anyone with ambitions for elective office would need to work within the alliance to stand a realistic chance of success.

“If you want to be important in the politics of Rivers State, come and join the Rainbow Coalition. If you want to be governor, come here.

“If you want to be senator, come here. If you want House of Reps, come here. If you want Assembly, come here. If you want local government, come here. You must come. If you don’t come, you cannot get it.

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“You must come here. Everybody here, whether you are APC, whether you are PDP, whether you are in Labour, whether you are AA, you are all okay for the state.”

Wike also cautioned aspirants against engaging in premature celebrations or presenting themselves as the coalition’s preferred candidate, saying such actions could undermine ongoing consultations among the participating parties.

He urged candidates to remain focused on grassroots mobilisation while awaiting a final decision from the coalition leadership, maintaining that every aspirant within the alliance remained a viable option for the state.

The minister further argued that the coalition was formed to promote political stability and development in Rivers State, which he said had for years been subjected to external interests seeking to benefit from political crises.

“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,” Wike said.

He also took a swipe at smaller political parties, including the African Democratic Congress, contending that political rhetoric and defections alone could not replace the organisational strength needed to win elections.

According to Wike, only the PDP, APC and Labour Party have demonstrated the nationwide structures and electoral capacity required to effectively contest major elections across the country.

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