ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said that the four political parties making up the “Rainbow Coalition” in Rivers State will jointly decide on a single governorship candidate for the 2027 elections, dismissing claims that any aspirant has already secured the ticket.
Speaking at a luncheon for coalition candidates in Port Harcourt on Saturday, Wike explained that the alliance, comprising the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP), and Action Alliance (AA) has not yet settled on a flag bearer for the governorship race.
According to him, the only major decision already taken by the coalition is its support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
“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 stated.
The former Rivers State governor described the Rainbow Coalition as the dominant political platform in the state and urged politicians seeking elective offices to align with it.
“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.
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“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,” he said.
Wike cautioned aspirants against celebrating victory prematurely, saying such claims create false impressions and could weaken the coalition’s internal process.
He urged candidates from the four participating parties to continue grassroots mobilisation while awaiting the coalition’s final decision on a consensus candidate, stressing that all aspirants within the alliance remain acceptable options for the state.
Addressing the political situation in Rivers State, Wike accused some activists, commentators and media organisations of benefiting from the state’s prolonged political crises and divisions. He said the Rainbow Coalition was established to promote unity and development across party lines.
“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.
The minister also dismissed the growing profile of smaller political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), arguing that political defections and public attention alone do not translate into electoral success.
According to him, only the PDP, APC and Labour Party have consistently demonstrated the organisational structures and nationwide reach required to conduct and win elections across Nigeria.
His comments come amid growing political realignments and coalition-building efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly in Rivers State, where various political actors are positioning themselves for key contests.