Wike said the Rivers coalition is yet to choose a 2027 gubernatorial candidate

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has stated that there is no gubernatorial candidate selected by the political alliance known as the “Rainbow Coalition” in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections, stressing that the flag bearer will ultimately emerge through the collective decision of the coalition partners.

Speaking at a luncheon held in Port Harcourt for candidates allied with the coalition, Wike dismissed speculation that any candidate had secured the alliance’s support for the governorship election.

According to him, the coalition consisting of the People’s Democratic Party, the All Progressives Congress, the Labor Party and the Action Alliance has only agreed to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while discussions on the governorship candidate remain open.

“Rainbow Coalition, we have not yet chosen who will be the governor of Rivers State. But we have candidates from the parties that have emerged under the Rainbow Coalition. The only decision we have taken is that we will 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 needed to work within the alliance to have a realistic chance of success.

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

“If you want to be a senator, come here. If you want the DPR, come here. If you want the Assembly, come here. If you want regional government, come here. You have to come. If you don’t come, you can’t.

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“You have to come here. Everyone here, whether you are APC, whether you are PDP, whether you are Labor Party, whether you are AA, you are all doing good for the country.”

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

He urged the candidates to remain focused on grassroots mobilization while awaiting a final decision from the coalition leadership, stating that every candidate in the alliance remains 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 over the years been the target of external interests seeking to profit from political crises.

“God said no, we have to be united as a nation, whatever our political leanings. The important thing is that we have to talk about the development of our country. We have to talk about the unity of our country,” said Wike.

He also criticized smaller political parties, including the African Democratic Congress, arguing that political rhetoric and defections alone could not replace the organizational strength needed to win elections.

According to Wike, only the PDP, APC and Labor Party have demonstrated the necessary national structure and electoral capacity to effectively contest major elections across the country.