Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, revealed that the “Rainbow Coalition” in Rivers State, which includes four political parties, will unanimously agree on a single governorship candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections, while also dismissing speculation of personally securing a ticket.

This was disclosed at a luncheon organised for coalition candidates in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and aired by the Nigerian Television Authority.

He said the Coalition, which comprises the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP), and Action Alliance (AA), is yet to settle on a flag bearer, adding that the decision will be taken jointly under the coalition’s leadership.

“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,” the minister said.

The former Rivers State governor also said the Rainbow Coalition is now the dominant political arrangement in the state, adding that anyone seeking elective office must align with it.
He said, “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. If you want House of Reps, come here. If you want Assembly, come here. If you want local government, come here. You must come. If you don’t come, you cannot get it.

“You must come here. Everybody here, whether you are APC, whether you are PDP, whether you are in Labour, whether you are AA, you are all okay for the state.”

Wike warned against premature victory celebrations among some of the aspirants, warning that such claims create a false impression and undermine the coalition process.

He urged all candidates from the four parties to sustain their grassroots mobilisation until the coalition formally arrives at a unified position, adding that every candidate in the alliance is “okay for Rivers State.”

Speaking also on the long-standing pattern of external exploitation of Rivers State’s political tensions, he accused certain human rights activists, commentators, and media organisations of benefiting from the situation and added that the Rainbow Coalition was formed to address that trend.

While also admonishing the people of River’s state to come together for the good of the state, irrespective of their political affiliations.