Fubara Reaffirms Support for Tinubu, Wike-Led Rainbow Coalition Ahead of 2027 Elections

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, pledging to work towards the victory of the Rainbow Coalition in the 2027 general elections.

Fubara made the declaration on Tuesday during the unveiling of the coalition’s candidates in Port Harcourt, where he urged political leaders and supporters to put past disagreements behind them and unite ahead of the polls.

The governor described the coalition as a family and expressed delight at reuniting with political allies following a crisis that had divided the group.

“I’m really happy to be here, not just being here, but standing in the midst of my family,” Fubara said.

He acknowledged Wike and other political leaders for their roles in his emergence as governor, expressing appreciation for their renewed cooperation. Fubara also thanked Tinubu for supporting him during what he described as his most difficult period.

The governor pledged to support the coalition’s candidates and work towards their victory, saying he was committed to retaining political influence within their bloc.

“I’m here with all my heart, my soul, and my body, and I will do everything within my power to ensure that we have victory, not just for Mr President, who has stood for me in my most difficult time, but also to ensure that this power still remains in our own bloc,” he said.

The Rainbow Coalition comprises seven political parties: the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Action Alliance (AA), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Labour Party (LP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Boot Party. The parties have aligned to field consensus candidates for the January 2027 elections in Rivers State.

However, the candidates unveiled at the ceremony emerged from only the APC and PDP platforms.

Former House of Representatives Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, emerged as the coalition’s governorship candidate on the APC platform, with Rivers State House of Assembly Majority Leader, Major Jack, named as his running mate.

For the three senatorial districts, the APC has two candidates, while the PDP has one. Felix Amaechi Obua will contest for Rivers West on the APC platform, while Senator Allwell Onyesoh is the party’s candidate for Rivers East. Senator Olaka Nwogu of the PDP emerged as the candidate for Rivers South-East.

The coalition also unveiled 13 candidates for the House of Representatives, comprising 10 APC members and three PDP members. Among them is Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker Martin Amaewhule, who is contesting for Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency.

The PDP’s House of Representatives candidates include Kelechi Nwogu for Etche/Omuma, Arthur Uchendu for Ikwerre/Emohua and Achinike Wonodi for Port Harcourt I.

For the Rivers State House of Assembly, the coalition has 32 candidates, with 21 contesting on the APC platform and 11 on the PDP platform.

Fubara expressed optimism about the candidates’ prospects in the January 2027 elections and urged members of the coalition to maintain unity as they prepare for the polls.