The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said that the political alliance known as the Rainbow Coalition will collectively determine who succeeds Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara in the 2027 governorship election.
Wike also dismissed reports suggesting that he had already endorsed any aspirant for the state’s top job, including Hon. Kingsley Chinda, insisting that no candidate had been chosen by the coalition.
The former Rivers governor made the clarification on Saturday during a luncheon held in Port Harcourt for candidates emerging under the Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, the coalition, which brings together members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Labour Party (LP), and the Action Alliance (AA), has only reached a consensus on supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, while decisions on other elective positions remain open.
“In 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 minister stressed that governorship aspirants would still be required to test their popularity and political strength before any final decision is taken, adding that the coalition’s leadership would determine its eventual flag bearer through internal consultations.
He warned against assumptions that any individual had already secured the coalition’s backing, describing such claims as premature and misleading.
Wike further used the occasion to invite politicians across party lines to align with the coalition, which he described as the dominant political platform in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections.
“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. You must come. If you don’t come, you cannot get it,” he said.
The FCT minister explained that the coalition was established to create a broad political front cutting across party affiliations and capable of producing consensus candidates for key elective offices in the state.
His comments come amid growing political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 elections and increasing speculation over the prospects of prominent governorship hopefuls, including Kingsley Chinda.
The political landscape in Rivers has also been shaped by recent legal and party disputes. Chinda is reportedly facing controversies surrounding his political status and continued role as Minority Leader in the House of Representatives.
In a related development, the Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt recently removed Chief Tony Okocha, a key ally of Wike, as chairman of the APC in Rivers State and nullified decisions taken under his leadership.
Political analysts believe the ruling could significantly alter the internal dynamics of the APC in Rivers State and influence alignments within the emerging Rainbow Coalition as preparations for the 2027 governorship race gather momentum.
