Rainbow Coalition unveils Rivers candidates as smaller parties cry exclusion

A coalition of six political parties backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has unveiled its candidates for Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections. But the list has stirred complaints that the alliance is not sharing opportunities fairly.

The Rainbow Coalition brings together the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Grand Alliance, Allied Peoples Movement, Labour Party and Action Alliance. It is aimed mainly at mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu's re-election in 2027.

At the unveiling in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, October 27, the APC took the lion's share. Of the three senatorial seats, the APC got two and the PDP one. The APC produced 10 of the 13 House of Representatives candidates, with the PDP taking three. For the 32 State House of Assembly seats, the APC got 21 and the PDP 11. None of the other four parties got a single candidate.

The other parties were said to have adopted the APC governorship candidate, Kingsley Chinda, and his running mate, Major Jack, as their choice. But candidates from those parties, including Labour Party names already on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) final list, were not mentioned at the event.

Complaints from smaller parties

A Labour Party chieftain in Rivers State, Favour Reuben, dismissed Chinda's promise to run an inclusive government. He asked why only APC and PDP candidates received flags while others got promises.

"If you believe in inclusiveness, why not give one Assembly seat to the Labour Party?"

Reuben also disputed that the Labour Party as an institution had joined the coalition. He said only the state chairman joined, without the party's wider structure.

The Action Alliance's Rivers South-East senatorial candidate, Fabeke, also rejected his party's reported decision to join. In a letter to the state chairman, he said he was not consulted and that some candidates were removed from the list without his knowledge.

A public affairs analyst, Jackson Ojo, said the coalition was not a bad idea but described the unveiling as "one-way traffic". He argued that a real coalition would have given each party one or two elective positions.

Kenneth Nweke, a professor of politics and governance at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, said some parties may have joined because they had little chance of winning alone, and that personal interest was driving the arrangement.

An APC chieftain and coalition member, Chief Loveday Okere, gave a different view. He said Wike was reciprocating President Tinubu's decision to appoint an opposition figure as FCT minister, and that Rivers should produce its governor through the APC so the state works with the centre.

Women back the coalition

Meanwhile, Rivers women under the Rivers Women Unite Organisation and the Central Planning Committee of the Women Converge have thrown their weight behind the coalition. In a statement by communications officer Glory Sunday, the groups commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Wike for fostering peace, and said the reconciliation would reduce political tension.

They announced that the 2026 Women Converge will hold on November 26 in Port Harcourt, bringing together women, religious leaders and others for prayers and reflection.

What happens next

The coalition's ability to hold together will be tested as campaigns begin. The complaints from Labour Party and Action Alliance figures suggest some members may not campaign for the joint ticket, and INEC's final candidate list will show who is actually on the ballot for each party.