The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected calls for members to distance themselves from the political alliance known as the Rainbow Coalition, reaffirming its support for the coalition associated with former Rivers State Governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The state chapter’s position puts it at odds with the Progressive Governors’ Forum, chaired by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, which recently said APC governors would concentrate their political activities on supporting candidates running under the party’s platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
However, the Rivers APC insisted that political strategies cannot be imposed uniformly across the country, arguing that the political realities in Rivers State are different from those in other states. 
The position was contained in a statement jointly signed by the Rivers APC Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, and the state Publicity Secretary, Hon. Chibike Ikenga.
Rivers APC Rejects Pressure From APC Governors
Reacting to the position of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, the Rivers chapter urged APC governors to focus on strengthening their structures, building political alliances and mobilising support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rather than attempting to dictate the political strategy to be adopted in Rivers State.
“We enjoin the Progressive Governors Forum to do more in building alliances, massive mobilizations, engagements etc with other groups to increase the voters turnout and support for the presidential in their states,” the statement said.
The party argued that the political dynamics of individual states must be taken into account when developing electoral strategies.
“All politics is local and you cannot extrapolate a particular style, system, procedure etc to parts of the country,” the statement added.
Party Defends Wike-Backed Coalition
The Rivers APC said its decision to remain part of the Rainbow Coalition was based on what it described as the political realities and interests of the state.
The coalition brings together politicians and supporters associated with different political parties and groups, including the APC, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP) and Action Alliance (AA).
Wike has repeatedly presented the coalition as an alliance aimed primarily at mobilising support for President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
The FCT Minister has also argued that supporting Tinubu at the presidential level does not mean political parties must abandon their candidates in governorship and legislative elections.
“What I said and stand for is that I will mobilise support for the reelection of the President. I never promised anyone that PDP will not field candidates to contest governorship, National Assembly and States House of Assembly elections,” Wike said.
He has maintained that voters can support one candidate for president while backing different candidates in governorship and legislative contests.
That position has generated disagreements with some APC governors, who have expressed concerns about political arrangements they believe could weaken the party or affect its candidates in the 2027 elections.
‘Rivers Can Decide Its Political Alliances’
The Rivers APC maintained that political coalitions and alliances are legitimate instruments for groups seeking to advance common interests.
“Politics is about contestations between parties and groups in the protection of their interests. Consequently, coalitions, alliances, partnerships etc are undertaken to coalesce divergent interests through increases in strength, promotion of unity, peace, development, achieving common goals, reduction of conflict and provision of wider support,” the party said.
It further argued that Rivers State should be allowed to determine the political partnerships it considers beneficial to its people.
“Rivers State as a sub national unit in our Federation is at liberty to forge any alli
