…Chinda promises inclusive government
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, and Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, have publicly demonstrated their political alliance, rallying support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates ahead of the 2027 general election.
The two leaders spoke at a mega rally organised by the Rainbow Coalition at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Elekahia, Port Harcourt, where candidates of the coalition parties were unveiled before a large crowd of supporters and residents of the state.
Wike, the founder of the Rainbow Coalition and a major political leader in Rivers State, declared that the coalition had resolved to mobilise votes for Tinubu irrespective of the political affiliations of its members.
He also announced the coalition’s endorsement of the APC governorship candidate, Kingsley Ogundu Chinda, and other APC candidates contesting National Assembly and state Assembly seats.
The rally, which featured the participation of Fubara and other political leaders, was presented as a demonstration of political unity and a commitment to preventing a return to the crisis that rocked the state in recent years.
Wike said the turnout had sent a clear message about Rivers State’s political direction ahead of the next general election.
“You have made a statement today for those who may not know that today Rivers State is entirely for Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
He added that the coalition was determined to replace political division with unity and collective leadership.
“In this dispensation, we will not have again Rivers of blood. In this dispensation, we will not have again killing and crisis among us in Rivers. Rather, what we will have is a united Rivers State and one government,” Wike said.
The former Rivers governor explained that the Rainbow Coalition was established to bring together political parties and their supporters behind Tinubu, insisting that the arrangement was not intended to undermine any of the participating parties.
He claimed that the coalition’s position reflected an agreement among its political leaders to support Tinubu’s re-election, irrespective of party membership.
Wike, who described himself as a national leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also dismissed the claims of an individual he described as a factional PDP leader, insisting that only recognised party authorities could speak for the party.
He urged PDP members across the country including Imo, Gombe, Kwara, Zamfara and Ogun states to support Tinubu.
The FCT minister said the coalition’s political arrangement was designed to unite its members behind a common presidential candidate while supporting APC candidates in Rivers State.
Wike launched a blistering attack on former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, who is the party’s vice-presidential candidate.
He questioned the credibility of Atiku’s political commitments, claiming that the former vice-president had a history of changing positions.
Wike referred to his experience during the 2022 PDP presidential primaries, in which he contested against Atiku, and recalled the debate over the unwritten power-sharing understanding between northern and southern Nigeria during the 2015 presidential election.
He challenged Amaechi to explain how his present political alliance aligned with positions he had previously taken on power rotation and other national issues.
“As bad as Atiku’s ticket is, attaching Rotimi as the vice worsened it,” Wike said.
The minister also criticised Amaechi’s record as Rivers governor between 2007 and 2015, raising questions about several projects and financial transactions associated with his administration.
He cited Amaechi’s promise to eliminate malaria through fumigation, the proposed Justice Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital, the Port Harcourt monorail project and the sale of the Omoku gas turbine.
On the fumigation programme, Wike claimed that $10 million was spent despite the persistence of malaria in the state. He also alleged that $39 million was paid for the proposed specialist hospital, which he said was never completed, while questioning the expenditure of N68 billion on the monorail project.
On the Omoku gas turbine, Wike alleged that Amaechi’s administration sold the facility for $308 million in December 2014 and questioned the whereabouts of the proceeds.
He said he established the Justice Omereji Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the transaction, claiming that Amaechi was indicted by the panel and subsequently lost court challenges to the findings.
Wike asked the audience whether Amaechi should be entrusted with the office of vice-president, arguing that the coalition would not support what he described as political gambling.
“Where is the $308 million? Where is the $39 million? Where is the N68 billion? And where is the $10 million for fumigation?” he asked.
The minister urged Rivers residents to reject the ADC ticket and support Tinubu, insisting that the Rainbow Coalition had already made its political choice.
In his remarks, Fubara declared his commitment to the Rainbow Coalition, describing the gathering as a reunion with his political family.
The governor acknowledged Wike’s role in his emergence as governor, saying he remained grateful for the political support that had helped him attain the position.
“I am happy to be here and standing in the midst of my family. This is my family because I wouldn’t have been the governor if God did not pass through my oga to make me a governor,” he said.
Fubara, who said he was present with his “soul and body and spirit,” called on members of the coalition to work together to preserve their political influence in Rivers State.
He also dismissed concerns about leadership disagreements within the coalition, saying members were now united under one political structure.
“We are now in one house. There is no issue of who is your leader. There is only one leader because we are now in one house,” the governor said.
Fubara subsequently unveiled Chinda as the APC governorship candidate and presented him with the party’s flag. He also unveiled the other candidates of the coalition’s participating parties and presented their respective party flags.
The governor described the exercise as a rare honour, expressing confidence that the candidates would win the 2027 elections. His participation in the rally underscored the public display of unity between him and Wike, whose political differences had previously contributed to a prolonged crisis in the state.
Fubara urged coalition members to remain committed to their common political objectives and work towards electoral victory.
In his acceptance speech, Chinda, who spoke on behalf of candidates of the six political parties, said the coalition was united by the objective of returning Tinubu to office and advancing the interests of Rivers State.
He described the alliance as a significant development in the state’s political landscape, saying it represented a departure from the politics of winner-takes-all.
“We are gathered to make positive history. We are gathered in one accord and one purpose, and that purpose is to return President Tinubu as the President of the country,” Chinda said.
The APC governorship candidate thanked the coalition’s leaders and supporters, promising that, if elected, he would run an inclusive administration that would prioritise the welfare of Rivers residents.
“When we are elected, we will continue to run a government of inclusivity, a government that will place the interest of Rivers people first. We will all be part of the government because the coalition will not stop after the election,” he said.
Chinda also expressed optimism about a peaceful transition after the election, promising that the state would witness more development projects under his administration.
He thanked Fubara for unveiling the candidates and presenting them with their party flags, describing the gesture as a demonstration of unity and collective commitment.
The candidate further declared the coalition’s support for Tinubu, saying Rivers State was ready to back the president’s re-election bid.