Nyesom Wike Forms Rivers Coalition to Support President Tinubu

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike announced the formation of a broad political coalition in Rivers State to secure the 2027 re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The alliance comprises members from the All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, and Action Alliance. Wike stated that the coalition intends to field consensus candidates for legislative positions to maintain federal infrastructure support for the state, specifically citing the Bonny Road project as evidence of current federal commitment.

During a media briefing in Abuja, Wike targeted Rotimi Amaechi, who is the vice presidential running mate to Atiku Abubakar for the African Democratic Congress. Wike characterized Amaechi as a political liability with no electoral value in Rivers State or the South-South region, describing the Abubakar-Amaechi ticket as "dead on arrival." He claimed that any selection of Amaechi must have been based on financial factors rather than a capacity to deliver votes, citing a lack of significant electoral results in 2015, 2019, and 2023.

The African Democratic Congress rejected these claims. Rivers ADC Chairman Chukwudi Dimkpa defended Amaechi as one of the state's most consequential leaders and described Wike's assertions as a desperate attempt to suggest the 2027 election is already decided.