Rivers 2027: Rainbow Coalition Will Decide Who Succeeds Fubara — Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed reports suggesting that he has endorsed any candidate for the 2027 Rivers State governorship election, insisting that the decision will be made collectively by the emerging Rainbow Coalition.

Wike made the clarification on Saturday in Port Harcourt during a luncheon organised for candidates of the coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The former Rivers State governor explained that the Rainbow Coalition, which comprises members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP) and Action Alliance (AA), has not selected a governorship candidate for the state.

He specifically denied claims that he had endorsed the APC candidate, Hon. Ogundu Kingsley Chinda, or any other aspirant for the position.

According to Wike, the only decision already taken by the coalition is its commitment to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

“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,” he said.

The minister stressed that aspirants interested in contesting for the governorship position would still be given the opportunity to test their popularity and seek the support of coalition members before a final decision is made.

He added that it would be premature and misleading for anyone to claim that a particular candidate had already secured the coalition’s endorsement.

Wike also reiterated his influence in Rivers politics, stating that political actors seeking elective offices under the coalition should align with its structure.

“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 FCT minister noted that the coalition was established to unite political stakeholders across party lines and provide a common platform for consultations ahead of the 2027 elections. He maintained that the coalition’s leadership would determine its eventual governorship flag bearer through internal discussions and consensus-building.