Rivers 2027: PDP, APC, LP, AA to Jointly Pick One Governorship Candidate - Wike

According to a report by Vanguard on Sunday, May 31, Federal Capital Territory FCT minister, Nyesom Wike on Saturday declared that the four political parties under the “Rainbow Coalition” in Rivers State will collectively agree on a single governorship candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections, shutting down speculation that any individual has already secured the ticket.

Wike made the statement on Saturday during a luncheon organised for coalition-backed candidates in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. The coalition reportedly brings together members and stakeholders from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP), and Action Alliance (AA), working under a shared political arrangement in the state.

According to the minister, discussions within the alliance are still ongoing, and no individual has been officially endorsed as the governorship flag bearer. He stressed that the selection process will be concluded through consensus among stakeholders within the coalition structure.

“The Rainbow Coalition has not yet decided who will become the governor of Rivers State,” Wike said. “What we currently have are candidates who have emerged under the coalition framework. The agreement so far is that we will collectively support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but the governorship candidate will be chosen jointly.”

He cautioned against what he described as premature political declarations by aspirants, warning that such actions could create unnecessary tension and misrepresent the current state of the coalition’s decision-making process. He added that all aspirants remain part of the ongoing political arrangement until a final position is reached.

Wike also urged members of the coalition to continue engaging with grassroots supporters across the state, noting that mobilisation efforts remain important until a unified decision is formally announced. He maintained that each of the aspirants involved in the arrangement remains qualified and capable of leading Rivers State.

Beyond internal party matters, the FCT Minister criticised what he described as the exploitation of Rivers State’s political environment by external actors, including some commentators, civil society figures, and media organisations. He alleged that such groups often benefit from the state’s political tensions and instability.

He said the formation of the Rainbow Coalition was intended to reduce division and encourage unity among political actors in the state, adding that development should take precedence over partisan rivalry.

Wike further emphasised the importance of political cooperation, stating that the focus should be on governance and progress rather than ongoing disputes among rival camps.

He also dismissed smaller political platforms, arguing that major parties such as the PDP, APC, and Labour Party remain the most structured and capable of effectively contesting elections at both state and national levels. According to him, political strength is not defined by noise or defections, but by organisational capacity and electoral reach.

The minister concluded by urging all stakeholders within the coalition to remain committed to dialogue and unity as preparations for the 2027 elections continue to unfold in Rivers State.