I’ll Put Rivers People’s Interest First If Elected Gov – Wike’s Ally, Chinda

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State, Kingsley Chinda, has pledged to prioritise the interests of residents if elected governor of the state.

This was just as he promised an inclusive administration that would accommodate different political parties, religious groups and genders.

Chinda made the pledge on Tuesday while speaking on behalf of candidates from six political parties at the official unveiling of the Rainbow Coalition candidates in Port Harcourt.

He said the coalition was committed to supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 and promoting peace and development in Rivers State.

The event was organised by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who leads the Rainbow Coalition. It brought together Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, Senator Magnus Abe, political leaders and candidates from different parties.

Speaking at the event, Chinda said the coalition was determined to move the state away from divisive party politics and embrace collective leadership.

“We are going to run a government for the people, that will place the interests of Rivers people first,” he said.

He added that the coalition’s collaboration should extend beyond the 2027 general elections, stressing that participating political parties should have a role in governance.

Chinda also commended political leaders for their efforts to restore peace in the state, expressing hope that the alliance would prevent election-related crises.

He said the coalition would work towards peaceful elections, a smooth transition and an administration focused on development.

Earlier, Wike rallied political leaders and candidates from different parties in Rivers State behind Tinubu’s re-election bid, urging members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) across the country to support the president regardless of their party affiliations.

Wike said the coalition was established to unite political interests in Rivers State around a common objective, insisting that party differences should not prevent leaders from working together.

“Every PDP member in Rivers State will support Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Every PDP member in Kwara State, you will support Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Every PDP member in Benue State, you will support Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.

He extended the appeal to PDP members in other states, including Kwara, Benue, Ondo and Ogun, urging them to support Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.

The FCT minister also criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his political positions and questioned whether Rivers voters would support him if he emerged as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Wike further criticised former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, questioning his record in office between 2007 and 2015 and revisiting promises made during his administration.

He also raised allegations concerning the handling of funds during Amaechi’s tenure, referring to a judicial panel of inquiry and subsequent court proceedings. The allegations were not independently established at the event.

Wike maintained that the Rainbow Coalition provided a platform for politicians from different parties to work together in support of Tinubu and candidates endorsed by the alliance in Rivers State.

He also warned political actors against actions capable of reigniting tension, saying the coalition was committed to maintaining peace.

Governor Fubara, who attended the event and unveiled the candidates, described the gathering as an opportunity for political allies to reunite and work towards the development of Rivers State.

Fubara acknowledged Wike’s role in his political journey and expressed appreciation for the support he received from the former governor and other political leaders.

“I’m really happy to be here. Not just being here, standing in the midst of my family. This is my family because I wouldn’t have been the governor of Rivers State if, by the grace of Almighty, I had not passed through my oga and other leaders to make it possible in our dear state,” he said.

The governor said the political leaders had a shared responsibility to work for the state’s progress despite their past disagreements.

“So no matter what has happened, I’m very grateful today that, one way or the other, we are back together for a better cause and for the good of our dear state,” he added.

Fubara also pledged to work towards Tinubu’s victory and ensure that political power remained within the bloc represented by the coalition.

In his remarks, Abe called on Amaechi to reconsider his reported decision to serve as Atiku’s running mate, arguing that the arrangement contradicted the principle of power rotation between northern and southern Nigeria.

Abe said the coalition supported Tinubu because, in its view, it was the South’s turn to produce the president.

He recalled that Amaechi had previously argued that Nigeria’s political stability depended on respecting an understanding that presidential power should rotate between the two regions.

Abe said Amaechi’s reported decision to align with Atiku was inconsistent with that position.

“On behalf of all of us here gathered in Rivers State, we want to call on Amaechi to immediately respect his own position and resign as the vice-presidential candidate to Atiku Abubakar, because it is the turn of the South, and Rivers State will stand by the agreement between the North and the South,” he said.