Wike rallies Rivers political leaders behind Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has rallied political leaders and candidates from six parties in Rivers State behind President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, declaring that the Rainbow Coalition is committed to securing victory for the president in 2027.

Wike made the declaration on Tuesday in Port Harcourt during the unveiling of candidates endorsed by the coalition, an alliance bringing together political interests across party lines in the state.

The event was attended by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, former governor and Senator Magnus Abe, and other political leaders and candidates.

Wike urged members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers and other states to support Tinubu, regardless of their party affiliations.

“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,” he said.

He extended the appeal to PDP members across the country, arguing that political differences should not prevent leaders from working together to support the president.

Wike also criticised opposition figures, particularly former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, questioning his political consistency and his prospects of leading an alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He challenged the prospect of Atiku emerging as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), asking whether Rivers voters would support him.

The minister also criticised former Rivers governor Rotimi Amaechi over his record in office between 2007 and 2015, questioning whether some of the development promises made during his administration had been fulfilled.

Wike further raised allegations concerning the handling of funds during Amaechi’s tenure, referring to a judicial panel of inquiry and subsequent court proceedings. The claims were not independently established at the event.

He maintained that the Rainbow Coalition was designed to bring politicians from different parties together to support Tinubu and candidates endorsed by the alliance in Rivers State.

The minister also called on political stakeholders to avoid actions capable of reigniting tensions in the state, insisting that the coalition was committed to reconciliation and peaceful political engagement.

Fubara, who unveiled the candidates, described the gathering as an opportunity to reunite political allies and work towards the development of Rivers State.

The governor acknowledged Wike’s role in his political journey and expressed gratitude to him and other leaders for their contributions to 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,” Fubara said.

He added that despite past disagreements, the leaders had a shared responsibility to work for the state’s progress.

“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 said.

Fubara pledged to support Tinubu’s re-election and work towards victory for candidates backed by the coalition.

Also speaking, Abe urged Amaechi to reconsider his reported decision to serve as Atiku’s running mate, arguing that the arrangement contradicted the principle of power rotation between northern and southern Nigeria.

Abe said the coalition supported Tinubu because, in its view, the South should retain the presidency for the next term.

“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,” he said.

He called on Atiku to respect the principle of rotation and declared his support for the Rainbow Coalition.

Speaking on behalf of candidates from six political parties, APC governorship candidate Kingsley Chinda said the alliance aimed to move Rivers State away from divisive party politics towards collective leadership.

Chinda said the coalition was united by its support for Tinubu’s re-election and its commitment to peace and development in the state.

He pledged that candidates elected under the coalition’s arrangement would pursue inclusive governance that considers 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 added that the coalition’s cooperation should extend beyond the elections, with participating parties having a role in governance.

He also expressed hope that the alliance would promote peaceful elections, a smooth transition and an administration focused on development.