Former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that his “Rainbow Coalition” is yet to adopt a governorship candidate for the State ahead of the 2027 elections.
Wike pointedly said that the race is still open to aspirants across the members of political parties that made up the Rainbow Coalition.
He however, said that all candidates who emerged from the participating political parties are credible contenders, hus urged them to continue grassroots mobilisation while awaiting the coalition’s final position.
Wike, who stated these on Saturday, May 30, 2026, while addressing candidates and stakeholders at a luncheon organised by the coalition in Port Harcourt, said that any aspirant who claimed that he already secured the backing of the coalition is misleading and capable of creating unnecessary political tension.
According to Wike; “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”.
The FCT Minister therefore cautioned candidates against premature celebrations, stressing that such actions could create false impressions and undermine the collective spirit of the coalition.
Wike further said that the coalition is a broad based political alliance comprising of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and Action Alliance (AA), saying that all major decisions would be taken collectively under the leadership of the coalition’s chairman.
The FCT Minister said the alliance remains committed to ensuring that Rivers State benefits from a united political front focused on development and stability rather than partisan divisions.
Expectedly, Wike launched criticisms against some individuals and groups he described as profiting from political instability in the Rivers State, including some commentators, activists and media organisations.
Wike explained that the Rainbow Coalition was conceived to change the narrative and foster greater unity among political stakeholders in Rivers State.
In his words; “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 emphasised that smaller political parties, particularly the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the National Democratic Congress are only engaged in political rhetoric, stressing that defections alone do not translate into electoral strength.
Wike insisted that only few parties have demonstrated the organisational capacity required to successfully prosecute elections across the country, adding that only the PDP, APC and Labour Party remain the most experienced political platforms in terms of conducting and managing nationwide electoral contests.
