…Wike declared coalition leader as APC unveils Chinda, Jack as governorship candidates
By Gloria Ikibah 
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have reaffirmed their commitment to work together under the Rainbow Coalition to secure victory for President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the state, Kingsley Ogundu Chinda, in the 2027 general elections.
Fubara declared the renewed unity on Tuesday during the unveiling of the Rainbow Coalition’s candidates at a ceremony held at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt.
The governor called for an end to factional leadership within the state’s political family, urging supporters to put their differences and divided loyalties behind them.
He said the coalition had a common leader and “General Overseer” in Wike, insisting that all members must respect his position in the interest of unity, peace and the group’s electoral fortunes.
Fubara described the event as an emotional homecoming to his political family, acknowledging Wike and other leaders for their roles in his emergence as governor.
He said he would not have become governor if God had not used Wike and other members of the political family to make it possible.
The governor expressed gratitude that, despite previous disagreements, the group had reunited for the good of Rivers State.
He also pledged to commit his energy and resources to securing Tinubu’s re-election, crediting the President with standing by him during his most difficult political moments.
Fubara described the opportunity to unveil the coalition’s candidates as a rare honour, expressing confidence that they would record a decisive victory in the February 2027 elections.
At the ceremony, the governor presented flags to candidates contesting various elective offices under the coalition. The major highlights were the unveiling of Chinda as the governorship candidate and Major Jack as his deputy.
In his acceptance speech, Chinda said Rivers State was poised to make positive history by returning Tinubu for a second term.
Speaking on behalf of candidates from the six political parties making up the Rainbow Coalition, he said the alliance represented a new political order in the state, with party differences set aside in pursuit of a common vision driven by Wike.
Chinda said the coalition had moved away from winner-takes-all politics, noting that the parties had agreed to work together even before the elections to take the state to the next level.
He pledged that, if elected, his administration would run an inclusive government that accommodates all political parties, genders and religious groups, with the interests of Rivers people as its top priority.
The governorship candidate thanked Fubara for presenting the flags of authority to the candidates and commended political leaders in the state for restoring peace.
He also promised peaceful elections, a peaceful transition, a productive administration and major landmark projects in the next political dispensation.
Wike, who leads the Rainbow Coalition, urged Rivers people to support Tinubu and all the coalition’s candidates in the forthcoming general elections.
He said the state would achieve greater development if its people worked together towards a common vision and purpose.
