Rivers 2027: Wike Says Rainbow Coalition Will Pick Single Governorship Candidate

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said that the “Rainbow Coalition” in Rivers State has not yet settled on a governorship candidate for the 2027 general elections, insisting that a joint decision will be taken by the alliance rather than any individual or faction.

Wike stated this on Saturday at a luncheon organised for coalition candidates in Port Harcourt, an event broadcast by the Nigerian Television Authority.

The coalition brings together major political parties in the state, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP) and Action Alliance (AA).

According to him, while candidates have emerged under the coalition structure, no final agreement has been reached on who will fly the governorship ticket.

“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,” Wike said.

The former Rivers State governor stressed that the selection process for the governorship flagbearer remains ongoing and will be concluded collectively under the coalition’s leadership framework.

He dismissed reports suggesting that any aspirant had already been endorsed, warning that such claims were misleading and capable of creating unnecessary political tension within the alliance.

Wike further described the Rainbow Coalition as the dominant political structure in Rivers State, arguing that future electoral success in the state would depend on alignment with the group.

“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 don’t come, you cannot get it,” he said.

He maintained that all political interests within the coalition—whether from PDP, APC, Labour Party or AA—are being accommodated under a shared platform aimed at consolidating influence ahead of the 2027 elections.

Wike also cautioned against what he called premature celebrations by some aspirants, noting that the ongoing coalition arrangement requires patience and internal consensus-building.

He urged all aspirants to continue grassroots mobilisation while awaiting the formal decision on the governorship candidate.

The minister also used the occasion to address wider political dynamics in Rivers State, alleging that the state had long been subjected to external manipulation and exploitation by political actors and commentators.

According to him, the Rainbow Coalition was formed to promote unity and refocus attention on development rather than division.

“God said no, we must come together as a people, irrespective of our political leanings. What is important is that we must talk about the development of our state. We must talk about the unity of our state,” he said.

Wike further criticised smaller political parties, arguing that only the PDP, APC and Labour Party possess the structure and capacity to effectively contest major elections across Nigeria.

He added that political realignment was inevitable in Rivers State, urging stakeholders to prioritise stability, inclusiveness and coordinated political engagement ahead of the 2027 polls.