Rivers 2027: Rainbow Coalition to Choose Fubara’s Successor — Wike

…Denies endorsing any governorship candidate

By Daniel Abia, Port Harcourt

PORT HARCOURT — Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has denied reports that he has backed any candidate for the 2027 Rivers State governorship election, including the All Progressives Congress (APC) nominee, Hon. Ogundu Kingsley Chinda.

Wike also stated that the newly formed “Rainbow Coalition” — a political alliance that brings together members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), APC, Labour Party (LP) and Action Alliance (AA) — will jointly decide who will become the next governor of Rivers State.

He made the remarks on Saturday in Port Harcourt during a luncheon organized for coalition candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The former Rivers State governor emphasized that no final decision had been made regarding the governorship ticket, noting that aspirants still have the chance to compete and demonstrate their popularity.

“In 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.

He added that it would be incorrect for anyone to assume a candidate had already been endorsed, and that the selection process would be handled by the coalition’s leadership.

Wike, who has repeatedly said he will play a major role in determining his successor, said the coalition is open to all political actors willing to align with its platform.

“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… You must come. If you don’t come, you cannot get it,” he said.

The minister noted that the coalition was created to provide a unified platform across party lines, insisting that internal consultations would ultimately determine its flag bearer.

His comments come amid growing political tension in the state and speculation about the future of several leading governorship aspirants, including Hon. Kingsley Chinda.

The situation is further complicated by ongoing legal disputes over Chinda’s alleged defection and resignation from his role as Minority Leader in the House of Representatives.

In addition, a recent Court of Appeal ruling in Port Harcourt dismissed Chief Tony Okocha, an ally of Wike, as APC chairman in Rivers State, declaring decisions made under his leadership invalid.

Political observers say the ruling could further reshape the APC’s internal structure ahead of the 2027 elections in the state.

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