2027: Wike’s Rainbow Coalition unveils adopted candidates in Rivers, backs Tinubu’s second term bid

The Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State has unveiled its preferred canddiates for the 2027 general elections, with politicians from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) pledging to support the group’s adopted candidates.

The coalition also endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term in the upcoming presidential election.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, announced the coalition’s stance on Tuesday. The event was aired by Arise News.

Mr Wike stated that the coalition was formed to unite politicians across party lines behind Mr Tinubu and prevent a return to political divisions in the state.

“Rainbow Coalition means no harm but to bring people together from all the political parties to support Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who attended the event, also pledged to work for the coalition’s victory, citing Mr Tinubu’s support for him during a difficult period.

“I will do everything within my power to ensure that we have victory, not just for Mr President who has stood for me in my most difficult time,” he said.

Mr Fubara urged members to put aside disagreements over leadership, saying the coalition should operate as one political family.

“We are now in one house. And because we have one house, there is no issue about who is the leader,” he said.

PDP pledges support

Sunny Ejekwu, the PDP governorship candidate in Rivers State, noted that his party had agreed to support candidates selected under the coalition and mobilise voters for them.

He described the alliance as an effort to ease political tensions and bring rival parties together.

“The Rainbow Coalition is one of its kind. It is a phenomenon that has been introduced to bring harmony to our politics in Rivers State,” he said.

Mr Ejekwu also backed Mr Tinubu’s re-election bid, saying the president should be allowed to complete a second term.

Wike criticises Atiku, Amaechi

Mr Wike used the event to criticise former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his position on power rotation between northern and southern Nigeria.

He recalled that Mr Abubakar opposed former President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid in 2015 on the grounds that it breached an understanding on power rotation. Mr Wike questioned whether the former vice-president had remained consistent on the issue ahead of the 2027 election.

“Knowing your records, you say one thing today, you say another thing tomorrow,” he said.

The minister also attacked former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi over projects and spending during his administration, which ended in 2015.

He questioned the spending on malaria control, a specialist hospital and the state’s monorail project, arguing that residents had not received the expected benefits.

Mr Wike further alleged that the state’s gas turbine was sold for $308 million in December 2014, but that only $308,000 remained in the relevant account when he took office in May 2015.

He said a judicial panel of inquiry investigated the transaction and that its findings survived appeals up to the Supreme Court. He challenged Mr Amaechi to account for the proceeds.

The allegations were made in Mr Wike’s speech. A response from Mr Amaechi was not included in the transcript of the event.

Coalition presents candidates

The coalition presented candidates for the governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and Rivers State House of Assembly elections.

The list presented at the event named Kingsley Chinda as its governorship candidate and Major Jack as the deputy governorship candidate, both under the APC.

Its senatorial candidates included Felix Amaechi Obua for Rivers West and Allwell Iheanacho for Rivers East, both under the APC, and Olaka Johnson Nwogu for Rivers South-East under the PDP.

Speaking on behalf of the candidates, Mr Chinda said the alliance would set aside party differences and pursue inclusive governance if its candidates were elected.

“We are no longer divided on party lines. We are no longer playing the politics of the winner takes it all,” he said.

He also pledged that the coalition would remain together after the elections.

The presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for 16 January 2027, while the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will hold on 6 February.

Mr Wike said Mr Tinubu would visit Rivers State on 7 November for a presidential campaign rally at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Igwuruta. He urged supporters to attend in large numbers.