The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has denied reports that he has already chosen a candidate for the Rivers State governorship election in 2027.
Speaking at a luncheon for members of the newly formed Rainbow Coalition in Port Harcourt on Saturday, Wike said the coalition has only agreed to support President Bola Tinubu and has not selected any candidate for governor.
According to him, several candidates have emerged from parties within the coalition, but no final decision has been made on who will receive the coalition’s backing.
Wike warned people against claiming that the coalition had already chosen a candidate or adopted a particular political party. He said such statements could create confusion, especially because his own party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), also has a candidate in the race.
He stressed that the Rainbow Coalition is made up of members from different political parties, including the APC, PDP, Labour Party (LP), and Action Alliance (AA).
“The only person we have chosen to support is President Tinubu. We have not yet decided who will be the governorship candidate of the coalition,” Wike said.
He added that all the candidates from the participating parties are qualified and should continue their political activities while waiting for the coalition’s leadership to meet and make a collective decision.
Wike also criticized some activists, commentators, and media organizations for what he described as their past tendency to profit from Rivers State’s political crises. He said the coalition was formed to promote peace, unity, and development in the state.
According to him, Rivers people must put politics aside and focus on the progress and unity of the state.
The FCT minister further argued that only the PDP, APC, and Labour Party have the political structures and experience needed to win major elections in Nigeria. He said smaller parties should not mistake publicity and defections for real electoral strength.
Wike concluded by urging members of the coalition to remain united and continue grassroots mobilization ahead of the 2027 elections.
