NEWS
Wike’s Rainbow Coalition Faces Fresh Rift in Rivers as Labour Chieftains Disown Alliance
The political coalition associated with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, is facing fresh controversy in Rivers State following claims by Labour Party (LP) chieftains that the party was not properly represented in the arrangement.
The development comes amid preparations for the 2027 general elections and the coalition’s stated objective of mobilising political support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.
Wike had earlier clarified that the Rainbow Coalition was established to support Tinubu’s return to office rather than to promote the interests of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a political party.
According to reports, the coalition in Rivers State brings together members and political actors associated with the APC, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party and Action Alliance.
However, the arrangement has triggered disagreement within the Labour Party, with some of its Rivers State leaders questioning the identity and legitimacy of those presented as LP representatives within the coalition.
Former South-South Zonal Vice Chairman of the Labour Party, Favour Reuben, reportedly said he was not part of the coalition. He further alleged that the Labour Party governorship candidate recognised by the coalition is actually a member of the PDP.
The disagreement has raised questions about the extent of the coalition’s representation of the various political parties it claims to bring together, particularly in Rivers State where political alignments have remained fluid following the disputes that have characterised the state’s political landscape.
Political analyst and Ogoni rights activist, Celestine Akpobari, also criticised the coalition, arguing that its composition does not adequately reflect the ethnic and political diversity of Rivers State.
Akpobari questioned what he described as the dominance of one ethnic group within the leadership structure of the parties involved.
“I have never seen a rainbow with one colour. APC chairman is Ikwerre, PDP chairman is Ikwerre, governorship candidates of APC, PDP and Labour are all Ikwerre. Where is the rainbow?” he queried.
He further argued that the question of political succession in Rivers State should take into consideration communities that have historically not produced governors or occupied some of the state’s most prominent political offices.
According to him, if power eventually moves away from Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who is from Rivers South-East Senatorial District, consideration should be given to the Ogoni people, whom he said have never produced a governor, deputy governor, Speaker or Chief Judge of the state.
“A rainbow coalition cannot have one colour,” he said, describing the situation as dictatorship.
Despite the criticism, supporters of the coalition maintain that the political structure has already achieved significant reach across Rivers State.
A Rivers APC chieftain and member of the coalition, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed that the alliance had secured the backing of a substantial number of grassroots political actors across the state.
“All the local government chairmen are members of this coalition, councillors in all the wards are members, Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his supporters have returned to the coalition. Who are the people remaining in other parties that bragged about taking over Rivers in 2027?
The claim points to the coalition’s attempt to build a broad grassroots structure ahead of the 2027 elections, although the competing accounts from Labour Party figures indicate that questions remain over who legitimately speaks for the party within the alliance.
Meanwhile, former President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide and 2023 Labour Party governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, Udengs Eradiri, offered a contrasting assessment of the political development.
Eradiri described Wike’s Rainbow Coalition as a significant political asset for President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election. He argued that the coalition’s cross-party composition could help mobilise support beyond the traditional structure of the APC.
According to him, the coalition should not be interpreted as an attempt to undermine APC governors or existing political structures but rather as an additional platform focused on supporting the President.
“Wike and his Rainbow Coalition should be seen as an added advantage to Tinubu’s re-election because it was formed solely to work for Mr President and not to advance the interest of any governor,” he said.
The conflicting reactions underscore the political complexities surrounding the Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State, with supporters highlighting its expanding grassroots reach while critics question its inclusiveness and the authenticity of the party representatives participating under its banner.
As political activities intensify ahead of 2027, the dispute over the coalition’s composition could become an important issue in determining how effectively the alliance translates its claimed cross-party support into a coordinated political structure across Rivers State.