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Wike rallies political leaders and candidates from six parties behind Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, declaring reconciliation within the Rivers political bloc.
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Fubara acknowledges Wike’s role in his emergence as governor, says political allies are reunited for the development of Rivers State.
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Magnus Abe challenges Amaechi over reported alliance with Atiku, insisting that the South should retain the presidency in 2027.
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Rainbow Coalition candidates pledge inclusive governance, peaceful elections and sustained cooperation among participating parties.
October 27, (THEWILL) – The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday, brought political leaders and candidates from different parties in Rivers State together under the Rainbow Coalition, declaring reconciliation among the political allies and rallying support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Wike, who leads the coalition, made the declaration during the official unveiling of its candidates in Port Harcourt, where he called on members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) across Rivers State and other parts of the country to support Tinubu, regardless of their party affiliations.
The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, former governor and Senator Magnus Abe, political stakeholders, and candidates representing six political parties under the coalition’s arrangement attended the event.
The gathering marked a renewed effort to bring political interests in Rivers State together following the divisions and tensions that had characterised relationships among some of the state’s leading political figures.
Addressing the gathering, Wike said the coalition was committed to uniting political leaders around a common objective, maintaining peace in Rivers State and mobilising support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
He insisted that party differences should not prevent political leaders from working together, urging PDP members in Rivers, Kwara, Benue, Ondo, Ogun and other states to support the president.
“Every PDP member in Rivers State will support Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Every PDP member in Kwara State, you will support Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Every PDP member in Benue State, you will support Bola Ahmed Tinubu”, Wike said.
He extended the appeal to PDP members across the country, maintaining that political cooperation was necessary among those who shared the same position on the presidency.
The FCT minister also criticised opposition figures, particularly former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, questioning his political consistency and his capacity to provide an alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Wike challenged the prospect of Atiku emerging as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), asking whether voters in Rivers State would support the former vice-president.
He accused Atiku of changing positions on political agreements, arguing that the issue should concern voters as political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections take shape.
Wike also criticised former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, revisiting commitments he said Amaechi made during his administration between 2007 and 2015.
He cited past promises on malaria prevention and other development-related matters, questioning whether they had been fulfilled.
The minister further raised allegations relating to the management of funds during Amaechi’s tenure, referring to a judicial panel of inquiry and subsequent court proceedings. The allegations were raised by Wike at the event and were not independently established there.
Wike maintained that the Rainbow Coalition would provide a platform for politicians from different parties to work together in support of Tinubu and the candidates endorsed by the alliance in Rivers State.
He urged political stakeholders to avoid actions capable of reigniting tension, declaring that the coalition would not accommodate those seeking to destabilise the state.
The minister thanked Fubara for attending the event and unveiling the candidates, describing the governor as a member of the coalition’s political family.
He said the alliance was not based on a winner-takes-all approach but on cooperation among political parties and leaders with a shared interest in the state’s development.
Speaking before unveiling the candidates, Fubara described the gathering as an opportunity for political allies to reunite and work towards the progress of Rivers State.
The governor acknowledged Wike’s role in his political journey, expressing gratitude to the former governor and other political leaders who supported his emergence as governor.
“I’m really happy to be here. Not just being here, standing in the midst of my family. This is my family because I wouldn’t have been the governor of Rivers State if, by the grace of Almighty, I had not passed through my oga and other leaders to make it possible in our dear state”, he said.
Fubara said the political leaders had a shared responsibility to advance the interests of Rivers State, irrespective of their past disagreements.
“So no matter what has happened, I’m very grateful today that, one way or the other, we are back together for a better cause and for the good of our dear state”, he added.
He pledged to work towards Tinubu’s victory in the 2027 presidential election and to ensure that political power remained within the bloc represented by the coalition.
The governor also expressed appreciation for the opportunity to unveil the candidates, describing it as a privilege and expressing confidence in their chances in the forthcoming elections.
Also speaking, Abe called on Amaechi to reconsider his reported decision to serve as Atiku’s running mate, arguing that the arrangement was inconsistent with the principle of power rotation between northern and southern Nigeria.
Abe said the Rainbow Coalition was firmly behind Tinubu, whom he described as the southern candidate in the 2027 presidential contest.
He recalled Amaechi’s previous arguments that Nigeria’s political stability depended on respecting an understanding that presidential power should rotate between the North and the South.
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Abe questioned why Amaechi would support a northern presidential candidate when, according to him, it was the South’s turn to retain the presidency.
“On behalf of all of us here gathered in Rivers State, we want to call on Amaechi to immediately respect his own position and resign as the vice-presidential candidate to Atiku Abubakar, because it is the turn of the South, and Rivers State will stand by the agreement between the North and the South”, Abe said.
He also urged Atiku to respect the principle of rotation, declaring his support for the Rainbow Coalition and its plan to mobilise votes for Tinubu.
Speaking on behalf of candidates from six political parties, the APC governorship candidate, Kingsley Chinda, said the coalition was seeking to move Rivers State away from divisive party politics towards collective leadership.
Chinda said the participating parties were united by their commitment to Tinubu’s re-election and the pursuit of peace and development in Rivers State.
He pledged that candidates elected under the coalition’s arrangement would promote inclusive governance and consider the interests of different political parties, genders and religious groups.
“We are going to run a government for the people that will place the interests of Rivers people first”, he said.
Chinda said the cooperation among the participating parties should extend beyond the elections, adding that they should have a role in governance.
He commended the state’s political leaders for their efforts to restore peace and expressed hope that the alliance would help prevent election-related crises.
The candidate pledged that the coalition would work towards peaceful elections, a smooth transition and an administration focused on development.
The unveiling brought together political figures and candidates under the Rainbow Coalition’s platform as the parties begin preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the alliance declaring support for Tinubu and pledging sustained cooperation among its members.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
