By Samuel Olusegun Precious
The much-publicized Rivers Rainbow Coalition ended in confusion Tuesday at Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt, as only two parties got endorsements despite claims of six parties, and Rivers APC Chairman Tony Okocha was conspicuously missing.
The Rainbow Coalition – championed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike as a mega alliance of 6 to 7 parties – unveiled candidates for the 2027 General Election: APC: 34 candidates PDP: 15 candidates, Labour Party, APGA, Action Alliance, APM, Boot Party: ZERO candidates.
Wike and Governor Sim Fubara jointly presented flags to candidates.
Fubara, who had been at war with Wike over political structure in Rivers State, said: “I am no more the leader. My Oga, the General Overseer, is our leader,” referring to Wike. This statement has been interpreted by political watchers as the final nail in the (political) coffin of his fierce supporters.
Viral pictures and video show former Mayor of Port Harcourt City, Ezebunwo Ichemati, who was once locked up allegedly on the orders of the FCT Minister during the fallout, and former ASALGA council boss, Peter Amachree, reduced to security duties at the event.
Fubara was reacting to the Obio/Akpor Peace meeting over the weekend where the former council boss, Chijioke Ihunwo and the APC Governorship candidate OK Chinda clashed when the former referred to Governor Fubara as his political leader. Chinda allegedly fired back and insisted that the FCT Minister is the political leader in the state and not the governor.
Speaking Tuesday at the Rainbow Coalition mega rally at Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Elekahia, Chinda said the coalition’s singular vision is driven by Wike.
“This Rainbow Coalition represents a new political order where party lines have been collapsed for a singular vision and purpose driven by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike,” Chinda said.
The confusion:
Wike said the coalition includes APC, PDP, LP, AA, APGA, APM. But only APC and PDP names were read. Sources said the other 4 parties will be “factored into post-election positions” – meaning appointments, not elective seats.
However, Rivers APC Chairman Tony Okocha’s absence from Tuesday’s Rainbow Coalition mega rally is now linked to a fallout with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over alleged N667 million by-election mobilization funds.
The money was allegedly released to Okocha to mobilize voters and support APC in Rivers by-elections in early 2026. Okocha allegedly failed to give a satisfactory account of how funds were spent. The controversy has strained relations between Okocha and Rainbow Coalition figures.
Okocha has not responded to the allegations despite efforts to reach him for his side of the story.
Election results:Feb 21, 2026:
APC won Ahoada East II (Ukalikpe Napoleon) and Khana II (Henrietta Bulabari) House of Assembly seats.
June 20, 2026: APC lost Rivers South-East Senatorial District (Andoni, Khana, Opobo, Eleme, Oyigbo, Tai, Gokana) – PDP’s Olaka Nwogu won after Senator Barry Mpigi’s death in February.
Meanwhile,Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, has insisted that there is no place for the “Rainbow Coalition” in his state. Reacting to the activities of the FCT Minister in Rivers, Imo and some other states across the country, the governor fired a salvo at a rally in Owerri.
Speaking Tuesday at the flag-off of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement and distribution of campaign vehicles in Owerri, Governor Uzodinmna said: “There is no rainbow coalition in Imo State. Are you listening? You are members of APC. If I see you walk outside APC, I will collect the vehicle from you.
He continued: “You are empowered to work for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and our All Progressives Congress.”
“APC is the only party we can trust. Vote APC House of Assembly, APC Governor, APC House of Reps, APC Senate, crown it with APC Presidency. We have no other party.”
“The votes from Imo State are organic votes. Owners decided to vote because they have seen performance of the President.”
Also, the Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia had earlier warned the FCT Minister to steer clear of the state.
Governor Hyacinth Alia has warned FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to stay away from Benue politics, declaring that Benue is not Rivers State and he is not Governor Siminalayi Fubara.Alia issued the warning Sunday October 19, 2026 through his Special Assistant on Social Media Communications, Asortar James Asortar.
“Benue is not a political commodity, and its governorship is not for settlement in private political negotiations,” Alia said.
“Benue is not Rivers and I’m not Fubara,” Governor Alia insisted.
In a related development, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has told voters to stick with APC only in 2027, rejecting the Rainbow Coalition formula.
Senator Tinubu at separate rallies in Lafia – APC North-Central Mega Rally said :”Vote for continuity, vote for capacity, vote for prosperity, vote for the re-election of Mr President and all the candidates of the APC from top to bottom”
“We have just finished food bank programme for children, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers… economy stabilising, forex going down, investors coming back”She said APC campaign will focus on policies, no hate speech.
And in Abuja – APC Women Campaign Council Inauguration the First Lady also said: “We have collapsed every other women support groups into one – from Tinubu Again, Torch Bearers, etc. What you will see on the ballot box is APC. We’re here to promote APC, nothing less.”
“From Presidency, governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly, that is what we are here for.”
Tony Okocha Missing:
Chief Tony Okocha, who is recognized by Wike’s camp as Rivers APC Chairman, was absent at the mega rally. His rival Emeka Beke faction loyal to Amaechi also absent. Party insiders said Okocha’s absence fuels speculation of a fallout over the choice of Kingsley Chinda as governorship candidate.Chinda – current House of Reps Minority Leader – was announced as APC governorship candidate with Major Jack as deputy.Senate tickets:Rivers West: Felix Obua (APC)Rivers East: Allwell Onyesoh (APC)Rivers South-East: Olaka Nwogu (PDP)Wike declared: “We don’t want Rivers of blood. We don’t want Rivers of shooting. Rivers State is entirely for Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”The coalition will flag off officially November 7 at Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Igwuruta.Opposition groups ask: Is Rainbow Coalition for peace or for sharing formula?
