The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that the major political forces operating under the newly formed Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State will jointly decide who emerges as their governorship candidate for the 2027 election, dismissing widespread speculation that any individual has already secured the ticket.
Speaking at a coalition luncheon in Port Harcourt, Wike revealed that the alliance, which brings together the Peoples Democratic Party, All Progressives Congress, Labour Party and Action Alliance, has not endorsed any aspirant for the governorship race. According to him, the coalition’s only firm political decision so far is its collective support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the next general elections.
Wike stressed that every aspirant currently operating within the coalition remains in contention and that the eventual choice of candidate will be made through consultations among the coalition’s leadership. He warned against premature celebrations and claims by supporters suggesting that a particular party or aspirant has already been favoured, insisting that such narratives undermine the coalition’s collective decision-making process. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
The former Rivers governor described the Rainbow Coalition as a broad political movement created to unite stakeholders across party lines and strengthen political stability in the state. He argued that the coalition now represents the dominant political structure in Rivers and urged politicians seeking elective positions to align themselves with the platform if they hope to remain relevant in the state’s political future.
Wike also used the occasion to call for unity among political actors, saying Rivers State must move beyond years of tension and division. He maintained that development, peace and the overall progress of the state should take precedence over partisan rivalries, adding that the coalition was formed to foster cooperation among leaders regardless of their political affiliations.
In a pointed criticism of smaller political parties, Wike argued that electoral success requires strong grassroots structures and organisational capacity. He maintained that established parties such as the PDP, APC and Labour Party have demonstrated the experience needed to contest and win elections on a large scale, while dismissing claims that newer parties can easily disrupt the political balance in Rivers State.
His remarks are expected to further reshape conversations around the 2027 governorship contest in Rivers State, particularly as political alignments continue to evolve following the emergence of the Rainbow Coalition. For now, Wike insists that no candidate has been chosen and that the final decision will be made collectively when the coalition’s leadership formally convenes to determine its political direction.
