The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has clarified that the Rainbow Coalition will collectively determine who succeeds Governor Siminalayi Fubara in 2027. He dismissed claims that he has endorsed any governorship aspirant, including Kingsley Chinda.
Wike's Stance on Succession
Speaking at a luncheon in Port Harcourt attended by candidates seeking various elective positions under the Rainbow Coalition, Wike reiterated that he would not repeat the mistake of single-handedly backing Fubara's emergence in 2023. The coalition comprises members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to the minister, the coalition has not settled on any governorship candidate. He stressed that the eventual choice would be made collectively by its leadership. "In the Rainbow Coalition, we have not chosen who will be the governor of Rivers State. We have candidates who have emerged under the coalition, but the only decision we have taken is that we are going to support President Bola Tinubu," Wike said.
Invitation to Politicians
Wike used the occasion to invite politicians across the state to align with the coalition if they intend to remain politically relevant in Rivers State. "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 a senator, come here. If you want to be in the House of Representatives, come here. If you want to be in the State Assembly, come here. If you want local government positions, come here. You must come. If you don't come, you cannot get it," he declared.
Reiterating his position, Wike said it would be unfair to members of his political family and supporters for anyone to suggest that a governorship aspirant had already secured his endorsement. "We have not chosen who will be governor in Rivers State," he said, adding that every aspirant interested in the race should be allowed to test his popularity through the political process.
Political Landscape and Court Ruling
Wike's comments have generated fresh interest amid growing uncertainty surrounding the political future of one of the prominent governorship aspirants, Kingsley Chinda. Meanwhile, the state's political landscape became more complicated following a Court of Appeal judgment in Port Harcourt, which upheld the judgment of the Rivers State High Court nullifying the congresses that produced the Tony Okocha-led executive of the APC in the state.
In a swift reaction, the APC Publicity Secretary under Okocha's leadership, Chibuike Ikenga, urged party members not to panic, insisting that the judgment had been deliberately misrepresented. The appellate court dismissed the appeal filed by Okocha and members of his executive in Suit No. CA/PH/523/2024, which sought to overturn the lower court's decision on the party's leadership structure. The court consequently struck out the appeal and directed the parties to return to the Rivers State High Court.
It would be recalled that on December 20, 2024, Justice Obomanu of the Rivers State High Court nullified the APC congresses conducted in the state, ruling that the process that produced Okocha and other executive members was invalid. The development has sparked debate over whether the judgment could have implications for decisions taken during Okocha's leadership, including issues relating to the emergence of candidates for the 2027 governorship election.
