Despite the growing political alignment and realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections in Rivers State, stakeholders have stated that the impact of political parties, candidates will determine the decisions at the polls not a coalition without a strong connection with the grassroots.

The stakeholders, who spoke against the backdrop of the recent political realignments in the state, said the outcome of the 2027 elections would be determined largely by issues affecting the people, including hardship, flooding, poor road infrastructure and other socio-economic challenges.

They noted that the current political developments could have limited impact if the various political actors failed to reconnect with the electorate and address issues that directly affect their daily lives.

Speaking in an interview, Chairman of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Sunny Dada, questioned the grassroots strength of the politicians involved in the coalition.

Dada asked: “What is their connection to the grassroots and what is the level of their followership? Are they people who can move with crowds to their new destinations, or are they only moving by themselves?

“I do not think such realignments will necessarily alter the political equation in the state.”

He said issues that could shape the 2027 elections went beyond the current political alignments, noting that hardship and public dissatisfaction could influence voters’ decisions.

According to him, “People are hungry. There is also so much misgiving in the state over the political crisis, including allegations surrounding how the  Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike engineered the crisis and how the governor handled the situation.

“So, a lot of persons are genuinely angry across the board and across the political divide. You are going to see people working against the interests of the minister, just as you will see others working against the interests of the governor.”

Dada also noted that the body language of Governor Siminalayi Fubara remained a significant factor in determining the direction of the political developments.

He said: “If you read the governor’s body language, it does not totally show that he is fully into the Rainbow Coalition. That is a very important consideration.

“As a sitting governor, there are a number of ways you can influence things, including the deployment of resources at your disposal. He can decide to deploy them in any direction.”

Dada said the development might explain the recent peace meeting initiated by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, with Governor Fubara, which reportedly lasted several hours.

“Perhaps that explains the reason for the peace pact and the fresh peace meeting initiated by the FCT Minister, which led to the over four-hour meeting with the governor. We are watching, and there are interesting times ahead,” he added.

Meanwhile, a Labour Party chieftain in the state, Reuben Favour, said the Rainbow Coalition should be prepared to face genuine opposition political parties in the state.
He dismissed claims that the party had formally joined the coalition, describing such claims as misleading.

He said: “The Labour Party is not the Labour Party I know. Telling the world that the Labour Party has officially joined the coalition is deception.

“One man cannot come out and say the Labour Party has officially joined the coalition. It is not done that way.
“For now, it is the labour union, in the name of the Labour Party, that joined the coalition. Labour Party members are not yet in the coalition. I still repeat it: those who have joined are fewer than the unionists.”

Also, a chieftain of the Zenith Labour Party, Ben Ogbogbulam, said the party remained committed to contesting the 2027 elections and would not be pressured into abandoning its decision.

Ogbogbulam said the party’s candidate was prepared for the contest  and expressed optimism that the party would emerge victorious.

A resident and active follower of political developments in the state, Mrs Agnes Chukwu, said political realignments were expected during the build-up to elections but urged voters to remain discerning.

She said the people were now more politically aware and should resist attempts to influence their choices.

Chukwu urged the electorate to choose their leaders based on competence and the interest of the people, rather than political pressure or inducement.