Strong reactions have trailed the unveiling of candidates of the Rainbow Coalition, an alliance of political parties loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in Rivers State, with concerns over the distribution of elective positions and the absence of some parties from the list.

The coalition on Tuesday unveiled its candidates for the 2027 elections at a ceremony in Port Harcourt, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) sharing the available State House of Assembly seats, while the APC reportedly secured the majority of the slots.

The absence of candidates from the Action Alliance (AA), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Boot Party and Labour Party (LP) has, however, raised questions about the benefits of the alliance to smaller parties.

Reacting to the development, a Labour Party chieftain and former chairman of the state’s LP, Favour Reuben, insisted that the party in Rivers State had not joined the coalition.

He said the Labour Party members who participated in the alliance were acting in their individual capacities, adding that it was the labour union, not the main Labour party, that had aligned with Wike’s coalition.

Reuben questioned how a political party could join an alliance without a written agreement spelling out the terms of engagement and the distribution of elective positions.

“If you cannot negotiate before they win, after winning, you will not have a voice. It is a tactic used by smart politicians to silence political novices. When they say, ‘When we win, we will carry you along,’ it is a strategy by smart politicians to play on inexperienced politicians,” he said.

He argued that the coalition should have allocated at least three House of Assembly seats to other participating parties, adding that the absence of a formal agreement would make it difficult for aggrieved parties to seek redress in court.

“What they have done is real. They would have given other parties at least three House of Assembly seats. You cannot take them to court over this. If there is a written agreement, then you have the basis to fight if they fail to honour it,” he said.

Reuben also questioned the level of grassroots representation at the unveiling, asking how many ward chairmen, women leaders and youth leaders from the participating parties were present.

“Whatever they are doing there is a personal business. What is there is a union. If Labour Party were working with them, you would see the crowd. It is just individuals,” he said.

He maintained that the Labour Party remained independent and would contest the 2027 elections, expressing confidence that it would emerge victorious.

“How many of our candidates are there with them? If the LP were joining them, they should have three senatorial candidates. In the coalition, they are only decorating the PDP and APC. The Labour Party, which is a major party in Nigeria, does not even have a candidate in the said coalition. This is not a coalition Labour is interested in,” he added.

Meanwhile, a Labour Party chieftain, former actress and political figure associated with Peter Obi, Hilda Dokubo, on Wednesday visited Wike at his Port Harcourt residence, amid speculation that she was aligning with the Wike-led Rainbow Coalition.

The visit also generated speculation about her possible support for the APC’s Rivers governorship candidate, Kingsley Chinda.

The Guardian gathered that Dokubo Wike and other stakeholders held a closed-door meeting before emerging to take photographs in front of the minister’s residence.

The meeting was reportedly attended by Senator Magnus Abe, Chinda and other political leaders.

Dokubo was said to have praised Wike’s political influence and the coalition’s unifying role, while pledging commitment to its success. The leaders reportedly welcomed her endorsement as a boost to the alliance, with Chinda promising an inclusive campaign focused on the development of Rivers State.

The Guardian recalls that Beatrice Itubo, the Labour Party’s 2023 governorship candidate in Rivers State, had also visited Wike at the same residence some months back and declared support for him.

The developments have sparked concern among some residents, who questioned whether political allegiances were being influenced by personal interests rather than the peoples’ interest and ideological convictions.

Their concerns have also been fuelled by comments attributed to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who reportedly urged the people not to regard him as the political leader of the state but to recognise Wike as the leader.
A political analyst and veteran journalist, Ignatius Chukwu, described such a position as indicative of a “conquered mind”.

Another resident, Lebula Mark, said it reflected a defeated mindset and expressed regret over the political situation in the state.

Rainbow Coalition rally confirms Wike’s supremacy in Rivers, Dike

Meanwhile,the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, adjudged as a politician with the Midas touch, following the turnout at the unveiling of the Coalition candidates for the 2027 general elections on Tuesday.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Princewill Dike, who made the observation attributed the crowd to Wike’s political prowess, organizational capacity and ability to mobilize massive support.

He said Wike had demonstrated his political strength and influence, adding that the huge turnout had sent a clear message to those doubting the level of support enjoyed by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State.

“The massive crowd at the gathering is an indication that the President has substantial political backing in the state, contrary to claims by antagonists of the FCT Minister’s political influence,” he said.

The activist noted that the turnout was a demonstration of the mobilisation capacity of Wike and his political associate which has further reinforced his reputation as a formidable political figure whose grassroots connections continued to shape political activities in the State.

Dike, who expressed satisfaction with the outcome, attributed its success to effective planning and the commitment of supporters who turned out in large numbers to identify with the movement.

He described Wike as a pace-setter, maintaining that the minister’s political achievements and mobilisation records would be difficult for opponents to surpass.

Meanwhile, Wike has announced that the proposed campaign rally of President Tinubu in Port Harcourt, scheduled for November 7, 2026, would hold at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium.

Reacting, Dike expressed confidence that the crowd witnessed at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium would be replicated at the presidential rally, predicting that the venue will be filled to capacity.

The human rights activist said the successful outing had raised expectations for the November 7 rally, while expressing hope that the crowd would be managed effectively to prevent overcrowding and ensure public safety.

Dike expressed delight that there was no casualty recorded at the event, giving glory to God for the successful outcome of the colorful gathering.