The Rainbow Coalition led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has unveiled its preferred candidates for the 2027 general elections in Rivers State, drawing its choices from both the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.

The candidates, covering the governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and Rivers State House of Assembly elections, were unveiled at a ceremony held at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, October 27.

The development further defines the structure of Wike’s cross-party political arrangement in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections.

Wike has said the coalition is designed to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election at the presidential level while allowing members to contest and support candidates for other elective positions under different political parties.

The arrangement means that although the coalition is backing Tinubu, an APC candidate, its preferred candidates for National Assembly and state legislative seats are drawn from both the APC and PDP.

The list released by Wike’s aide, Lere Olayinka, named Kingsley Ogundu Chinda of the APC as the coalition’s governorship candidate, with Major Jack, also of the APC, as his running mate.

Governorship

Position Candidate Party
Governor Kingsley Ogundu Chinda APC
Deputy Governor Major Jack APC

For the three senatorial districts, the coalition endorsed Felix Amaechi Obua of the APC for Rivers West, Onyesom Allwell Iheacho of the APC for Rivers East and Olaka Johnson Nwogu of the PDP for Rivers South-East.

Senatorial Candidates

Senatorial District Candidate Party
Rivers West Felix Amaechi Obua APC
Rivers East Onyesom Allwell Iheacho APC
Rivers South-East Olaka Johnson Nwogu PDP

For the House of Representatives, the coalition listed 13 candidates across the state’s federal constituencies.

Ten of the candidates are running on the platform of the APC, while three are PDP candidates.

House Of Representatives Candidates

No. Candidate Federal Constituency Party
1 Bob Solomon Abua-Odual/Ahoada East APC
2 Victor C. Obuzor Ahoada West/Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni APC
3 Cyril Godwin Hart Degema/Bonny APC
4 Jack Isobo Solomon Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru APC
5 Linda Somiari-Stewart Okrika/Ogu-Bolo APC
6 Frederick Boma Apiafi Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro APC
7 Felix Uche Nwaeke Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo APC
8 Dumnamene R. Dekor Khana/Gokana APC
9 Martin C. Amaewhule Obio/Akpor APC
10 Blessing C. Amadi Port Harcourt II APC
11 Kelechi G. Nwogu Etche/Omuma PDP
12 Arthur O. Uchendu Ikwerre/Emohua PDP
13 Achinike Okogbule-Wonodi Port Harcourt I PDP

The Rainbow Coalition also unveiled 32 preferred candidates for the Rivers State House of Assembly, again drawing from both the APC and PDP.

Rivers State House Of Assembly Candidates

No. Candidate Constituency Party
1 Dominic I. John Abua/Odual PDP
2 Napoleon N. Ukalikpe Ahoada East II APC
3 Queen U. Tony-Williams Ahoada East I PDP
4 Reuben Izu Ahoada West PDP
5 Victor Dagogo-Jack Akuku-Toru I APC
6 Lolo I. Opuende Akuku-Toru II APC
7 Christopher K. Ofiks Andoni APC
8 Tekenari W. Granville Asari-Toru I APC
9 Enemi Alabo George Asari-Toru II APC
10 Soparagha S. Jumbo Bonny APC
11 Peters E. Abbey Degema APC
12 Aforji Igwe-Obey Eleme APC
13 Ignatius O. Onwuka Etche I PDP
14 Chimezie C. Nwankwo Etche II APC
15 Justina Emeji Emohua PDP
16 Dumle Maol Gokana APC
17 Prince Lemchi Nyeche Ikwerre PDP
18 Barile Nwakoh Khana I PDP
19 Bulabari H. Loolo Khana II APC
20 Ezebunwo L. Ejekwu Obio/Akpor I APC
21 Emilia L. Amadi Obio/Akpor II PDP
22 Okobiriari A. Davids Ogu/Bolo APC
23 Opuene T. Atekebo Okrika APC
24 Nwabochi F. Uchenna Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni I APC
25 Ijeoma Ezekwe Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni II PDP
26 Enyinna S. Nwankwo Omuma PDP
27 Kenneth G. Minimah Opobo/Nkoro APC
28 Gerald C. Oforji Oyigbo APC
29 Solomon Wami Port Harcourt I APC
30 Tonye Smart Adoki Port Harcourt II APC
31 Azeru Opara Port Harcourt III APC
32 Bernard B. Ngbar Tai PDP

The unveiling underscores the cross-party nature of the Rainbow Coalition, which is not a registered political party but a political alliance bringing together politicians from different parties around shared electoral objectives.

Under the arrangement, members are expected to support Tinubu’s re-election while backing the coalition’s preferred candidates for other positions irrespective of whether they are contesting on the APC or PDP platform.

The individuals on the list remain candidates of their respective registered political parties, while the Rainbow Coalition serves as the political platform through which Wike and his allies are coordinating support ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Meanwhile, Nigerians are mocking Rivers people as “mumu mumu,” saying the arrangement makes the state look foolish.

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