VIDEO: Fubara Hands Over APC Flag to Wike’s Ally Chinda

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has handed over the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag to Ogundu Kingsley Chinda, the preferred governorship candidate of the Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The presentation took place on Tuesday at a Rainbow Coalition political gathering in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where the coalition unveiled its candidates for the forthcoming elections.

The development comes amid a political realignment involving Fubara, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and other political figures in Rivers State.

Chinda, an APC member and ally of Wike, was named the coalition’s preferred candidate for the Rivers State governorship election, with Major Jack announced as his running mate.

The flag handover followed Fubara’s public declaration of support for President Bola Tinubu and the Rainbow Coalition, as political leaders in the state seek to consolidate their positions ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a video shared earlier on social media, Fubara urged his supporters to support the coalition and its candidates, identifying Chinda as his preferred choice for the governorship.

“We have made peace in the state and I am supporting the Rainbow Coalition. President Bola Tinubu is our president and is the one that we are supporting,” the governor said.

He added, “Chinda is the governorship candidate that I am supporting and everybody who believes in me will support.”

Fubara also urged his supporters to rally behind the coalition rather than expect personal benefits before supporting its political decisions.

“And for those of you who are saying Fubara, we want to collect something before we run, there is nothing to collect, I have gone back to our family, so please wherever you are give your total support to that coalition,” he said.

The governor maintained that his priority was to ensure lasting peace in Rivers State and move the state forward after a prolonged period of political tension.

“I have done what I need to do and for now we are moving forward,” he added.

The Rainbow Coalition, which brings together politicians from different political parties, is being coordinated by Wike, a former Rivers State governor who has maintained considerable influence in the state’s political landscape.

The coalition’s unveiled candidates include members of both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), reflecting its cross-party arrangement ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Wike has defended the coalition against criticism from political opponents, describing those who question its relevance as inexperienced politicians.

Speaking on Tuesday during a media chat in Abuja, the FCT minister argued that supporting Tinubu for president while backing candidates from different political parties in other elections was not contradictory.

“Anybody who says he does not recognise the importance of Rainbow Coalition is not a politician. Anybody who said that is a baby politician. Is there any conflict? There is no conflict. How does it confuse people?” Wike said.

He has also maintained that the coalition would support Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 while allowing its members to support candidates for legislative and other positions.