Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State have expressed support for the Rainbow Coalition movement led by Minister Nyesom Wike in the State.
The Rainbow Coalition is an inter-party political movement founded in the State by ex-Governor Wike, aimed at supporting President Tinubu’s bid for a second term.
The APC Governors, in a recent meeting in Abuja, queried the rationale behind the Rainbow Alliance and demanded explanations from the FCT Minister.
However, following a meeting of the State Party Leadership on Tuesday, apparently on the subject, party members said they are comfortable with the Coalition, describing its formation as apt and very necessary in the quest to deliver Mr President’s re-election bid next year, and urged the Governors to learn to promote coalition alliances for the benefits they bring.
‘We enjoin the Progressive Governors Forum to do more in building alliances, massive mobilisations, engagements, etc., with other groups to increase voter turnout and support for the presidential candidates in their states.
‘All politics is local, and you cannot extrapolate a particular style, system, procedure, etc., to parts of the country. Noting also that electioneering processes/outcomes are not determined by the same variables across the federating units.’
The members spoke in a statement by the State Party Chairman, Tony Okocha, and the Publicity Secretary, Chibike Ikenga, and transmitted it to the Nation in Port Harcourt yesterday.
The party, in the statement, outlined the importance of the inter-party agreement to deliver Tinubu’s candidacy and other Coalition candidates in the State in the elections.
The people recalled that the Rainbow Coalition arrangement led to the APC’s resounding victory in the State in 2023, and said the victory would be even louder in 2027 with the Coalition.
The group in the statement said, ‘The Chairman, Executive Committee, Leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rivers State, wish to further inform the public, particularly our National Leadership, that we are in sync with the Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State, led by Leader Nyesom Wike.
‘We are working assiduously with other political parties, individuals and groups who have signed into the alliance and shall deliver the votes massively for President Ahmed Tinubu and all other candidates of the Coalition in our State in the 2027 elections.
‘Politics is about contestation between parties and groups in the protection of their interests. Consequently, coalitions, alliances, and partnerships 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.’
‘Rivers State, as a sub-national unit in our Federation, is at liberty to forge any alliance/partnership or coalition that will enhance a seamless process that will engender a consummate protection of the interests of the masses of the State.
‘All politics is sharpened by the whims and caprices of the people in the State and must be in tandem with the aspirations of the citizens/residents; accordingly, we shall not succumb to the external pressures of any group/parties outside our domain.’
Furthermore, the Party said, ‘As a party, we want to reiterate that we are very comfortable with our coalition arrangements, as they helped us in no small measure in protecting the interests of the State and its people in the 2023 elections, with the delivery of our votes to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other candidates, and shall even do better in 2027 with massive votes for the President and other Coalition candidates.’