2027: Rivers APC backs Wike-led Rainbow Coalition

The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has reaffirmed its commitment to the Rainbow Coalition led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The decision of the Rivers APC is contrary to the position of the party’s Progressive Governors’ Forum, which has kicked against the Wike-led political movement.

In a statement signed by the state APC Chairman, Tony Okocha, and Publicity Secretary, Chibike Ikenga, the party said it is working with other political parties, groups and individuals within the coalition to secure votes for President Bola Tinubu and other coalition candidates in Rivers State in the 2027 elections.

The Rivers APC argued that political alliances should reflect the interests and circumstances of individual states, rather than follow a single pattern across the country.

It said Rivers State is free to form partnerships that would protect the interests of its people, adding that political decisions should be guided by the aspirations of citizens and residents.

The party said its alliance with Wike and other political groups had contributed to its performance in the 2023 elections and expressed confidence that the arrangement would produce even more support for President Tinubu in 2027.

The statement said the coalition arrangement “did help us in no small measure in protecting the interests of the state and its people in the 2023 elections.”

The Rivers APC also urged the Progressive Governors’ Forum to build broader alliances, engage other political groups and intensify voter mobilisation in their respective states.

It maintained that political conditions differ from one state to another and cautioned against imposing one political strategy across the country.

“All politics is local and you cannot extrapolate a particular style, system, procedure etc to parts of the country,” the party said.

The Rivers chapter further rejected what it described as pressure from political groups outside the state, insisting that local political interests should remain central to decisions concerning the state.

It said it remained “very comfortable with our coalition arrangements” and had no regrets about its role in establishing the Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State.

The statement comes after the Progressive Governors’ Forum said APC governors were not working with the Rainbow Coalition or any political alliance with other parties in their states, stressing their commitment to ensuring victory for APC candidates in the 2027 elections.