Wike, Fubara rally Rivers political leaders behind Tinubu, other Rainbow Coalition candidates
BY STEPHEN GBADAMOSI
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday, rallied political leaders and candidates from different parties in Rivers State behind President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, declaring that the Rainbow Coalition is committed to mobilising support for the president ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Wike, who is also the leader of the Rainbow Coalition, spoke during the official unveiling of the coalition’s candidates in Port Harcourt, the state capital, where he urged members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) across the country to support Tinubu, irrespective of their party affiliations.
The event brought together Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara; former governor and Senator Magnus Abe, political leaders, and candidates from different political parties under the coalition’s platform.
Wike said the alliance was designed to unite political interests in Rivers State around a common objective, insisting that party differences should not prevent leaders from working together to advance the state’s interests and support Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
He urged PDP members in Rivers, Kwara, Benue, Ondo, Ogun and other states to rally behind 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 call to PDP members across the federation, arguing that the political future of the country required cooperation among leaders who shared a common position on the presidency.
The FCT minister also criticised opposition political figures, particularly former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, questioning the consistency of his political positions and his capacity to lead a credible 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 Rivers voters would support him.
He accused the former vice-president of changing positions on political agreements, saying such inconsistency should concern voters.
The minister also criticised former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, over his political record, revisiting promises made during Amaechi’s administration between 2007 and 2015.
Wike cited past commitments on malaria prevention and other development-related issues, questioning whether the promises had been fulfilled.
He 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 formed part of Wike’s argument against supporting political figures he accused of failing to meet their obligations. The allegations were not independently established at the event.
Wike maintained that the Rainbow Coalition offered a platform for politicians from different parties to work together in support of Tinubu and candidates endorsed by the alliance in Rivers State.
He also urged political stakeholders to avoid actions capable of reigniting tension in the state, saying the coalition was committed to maintaining peace.
The minister also expressed appreciation to Fubara for personally attending the event and unveiling the candidates, describing the governor as a member of the coalition’s political family.
Wike urged political actors to abandon divisions and work together, warning that there would be no room for those seeking to create further crises in the state.
He said the coalition’s approach was different from winner-takes-all politics, arguing that cooperation among political parties could help produce a more inclusive political environment.
Speaking before unveiling the Rainbow Coalition candidates, Governor Fubara described the gathering as an opportunity to reunite political allies and work towards the development of Rivers State.
Fubara acknowledged Wike’s role in his political journey, expressing appreciation for the support he received from the former governor and other leaders.
“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.
The governor said despite past disagreements, the political 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,” Fubara added.
He pledged to work towards victory for Tinubu and to ensure that political power remained within the bloc represented by the coalition.
Fubara also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to unveil the candidates, describing it as a privilege and expressing confidence in their prospects in the forthcoming elections.
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 a model of collective leadership.
Chinda said the alliance was united by the objective of supporting Tinubu’s re-election and promoting peace and development in Rivers State.
He pledged that candidates elected under the coalition’s arrangement would pursue inclusive governance, taking into account 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 continue beyond the elections, with participating parties having a role in governance.
He also commended the state’s political leaders for their efforts towards restoring peace, expressing hope that the alliance would help prevent election-related crises.
The candidate said the coalition would work towards peaceful elections, a smooth transition and an administration focused on development.
