A former governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Alabo George-Kelly, has thrown his weight behind the party’s consensus governorship candidate, Hon. Kingsley Ogundu Chinda, declaring that the decision to adopt a single candidate was aimed at strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 election.

George-Kelly, who participated in the APC governorship primary, said he voluntarily stepped aside to allow Chinda emerge as the consensus flagbearer under the Rainbow Coalition backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday, the former aspirant described the coalition’s consensus arrangement as a demonstration of “leadership in action,” stressing that the move reflected unity and strategic political calculation within the APC in Rivers State.

He commended members of the Rainbow Coalition for what he termed “wisdom, foresight, and political maturity” in settling for Chinda as the party’s standard-bearer.

George-Kelly argued that Chinda’s years in the House of Representatives and his understanding of legislative and Niger Delta issues positioned him as a capable candidate for the governorship race.

According to him, the coalition was determined to present an experienced candidate capable of leading Rivers State and aligning the state with the policies of President Bola Tinubu.

The APC chieftain also reaffirmed his loyalty to Wike, whom he credited with providing “direction, structure, and purpose” for the Rainbow Coalition and the APC in Rivers State.

He pledged to work for Chinda’s electoral victory and urged party members to unite ahead of the general election.

The statement said: “I wish to formally and wholeheartedly congratulate Hon. O.K. Chinda on his emergence as the consensus governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Rivers State.

“At the recently concluded APC governorship primaries, I had the honour of presenting myself as a candidate, driven by a deep conviction to serve our great state. However, in the spirit of unity, patriotism, and the larger interest of Rivers State and the progressive agenda of our great party, I took the deliberate and considered decision to step aside in favour of Hon. O.K. Chinda, allowing him to emerge as our consensus candidate.

“I wish to express my profound commendation to the leadership and membership of the Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State for the wisdom, foresight, and maturity displayed in arriving at this consensus. The process that produced Hon. O.K. Chinda as our standard-bearer is a testament to the coalition’s commitment to fielding only the most capable and experienced hands for the task of governing our beloved state.

“This is leadership in action, principled, united, and focused on results. Hon. O.K. Chinda is not an unknown quantity. His years of distinguished service in the Nigerian House of Representatives, his deep understanding of legislative processes, federal-state dynamics, and the developmental aspirations of the Niger Delta people, make him eminently qualified to lead Rivers State to the next level of prosperity and security.

“I have no doubt that his vast experience, his grassroots connections, and his demonstrated capacity for effective leadership will translate into transformative governance for Rivers State. He has my full confidence and my complete endorsement.

“I hereby pledge my unreserved commitment to working tirelessly for the electoral success of Hon. O.K. Chinda in the forthcoming governorship general election.

“Equally, I reiterate my firm commitment to the success of the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. The Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President is producing visible results across the federation, and Rivers State must align itself with this transformative vision for the benefit of our people.

“I wish to also express my unwavering loyalty to the Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State as ably and courageously led by the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Nyesom Wike. His visionary leadership of the coalition has given direction, structure, and purpose to the APC in Rivers State. I stand firmly behind his leadership, and I encourage all men and women of goodwill in our state to do the same.

“As we march toward the general election, I call on all APC faithful, members of the Rainbow Coalition, and the good people of Rivers State to close ranks, set aside personal differences, and rally behind Hon. O.K. Chinda. Victory is within our grasp”.