Rainbow Coalition to Jointly Pick Rivers Gov Candidate for 2027 — Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has announced that the four political parties forming the “Rainbow Coalition” in Rivers State will collectively agree on a single governorship candidate for the 2027 elections. He dismissed speculation that any individual has already secured the ticket.

Speaking Saturday at a luncheon for coalition candidates in Port Harcourt, Wike explained that the alliance—comprising the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP), and Action Alliance (AA) has not yet settled on a flag bearer. He said the decision will be taken jointly under the coalition’s leadership.

“We have not chosen who will be the governor of Rivers State,” Wike said. “The only decision we have taken is that we are going to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

The former Rivers State governor also declared the Rainbow Coalition as the dominant political arrangement in the state, asserting that anyone seeking elective office must align with it.

“If you want to be important in the politics of Rivers State, come and join the Rainbow Coalition,” he said, listing positions from governor to local government council seats.

Wike cautioned against premature victory celebrations by some aspirants, warning that such claims create a false impression and undermine the coalition process. He urged all candidates from the four parties to maintain grassroots mobilisation until the coalition formally agrees on a unified candidate.

The minister also accused certain human rights activists, commentators, and media organisations of exploiting Rivers State’s political tensions for their own benefit, adding that the Rainbow Coalition was formed to counter that trend.

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

He further criticised smaller political parties, arguing that political noise and defections are no substitute for established electoral structures, and that only the PDP, APC, and Labour Party have demonstrated the capacity to prosecute elections nationwide.