The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has inaugurated a 700-member campaign council dedicated to securing four million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections. Princewill Dike, a chieftain of the party in the state, announced the formation of the APC Presidential/Rivers Rainbow Coalition Campaign Council, describing it as a strategic grassroots initiative.
The council, constituted on Thursday in Port Harcourt, is implicitly led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who remains a prominent political force in Rivers State. Dike confirmed that the "Rainbow Coalition" comprises members drawn from various political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), reflecting a broad-based approach to galvanising support.
This ambitious target of four million votes for President Tinubu underscores the significance of Rivers State in national politics and the perceived influence of Minister Wike. The state, a crucial economic hub in Nigeria’s South-South region, had approximately 3.5 million registered voters in the 2023 general elections, making the new target a substantial leap.
Princewill Dike, while interacting with journalists in Port Harcourt, lauded FCT Minister Wike as a "political colossus" and an "elephant" whose "political sagacity" is unparalleled. He stated that Wike possesses the unique ability to unite diverse political interests and deliver electoral success, pointing to the Minister’s crucial role in President Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential election.
"The 700-member APC Presidential/Rivers Rainbow Coalition Campaign Council is a deliberate grassroots strategy aimed at delivering not less than four million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections," Dike affirmed, as reported by Leadership newspaper. He emphasised that the council’s structure ensures outreach to every local government area, ward, and polling unit across the state.
Wike’s Influence and the Road to 2027
Nyesom Wike, a former two-term governor of Rivers State under the PDP, emerged as a key figure in the 2023 presidential election. Despite his party affiliation, he led the G5 governors, also known as the Integrity Group, who withheld support for their party’s presidential candidate and instead reportedly backed President Tinubu of the APC. This move proved pivotal in tilting the scales in some Southern states, including Rivers, where Tinubu secured a notable number of votes.
Dike highlighted Wike’s "Midas touch" and his capacity to foster unity among disparate groups, qualities he believes are essential for achieving the stated vote target. The "Rainbow Coalition" concept itself leverages Wike’s perceived ability to command loyalty and cooperation across party lines, a strategy that proved effective in the last election cycle.
The formation of such a large council, more than three years before the next general elections, signals an early and determined effort by the APC and its allies in Rivers State to consolidate support for President Tinubu. It also positions Wike as a central architect of Tinubu’s potential re-election bid, reinforcing his influence within the national political landscape and particularly within the APC, despite not being a long-standing member of the party.
Achieving a target of four million votes in Rivers State for a single presidential candidate presents a formidable challenge. While the state boasts significant political engagement, past election turnouts have been considerably lower than registered voter figures. For instance, in the 2023 presidential election, actual votes cast in Rivers State were significantly less than the target being set. The campaign council will need to overcome voter apathy, inter-party rivalry, and potential security challenges to mobilise such a substantial voter base.
The announcement sets the stage for intense political activities in Rivers State as stakeholders begin preparations for the 2027 polls. The success or otherwise of this ambitious initiative will largely determine the political trajectory of key figures involved and the broader electoral landscape in Nigeria’s South-South region.
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