Hon. Ogundu Kingsley Chinda, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governor ship candidate for Rivers State, has pledged to govern with the fear of God if elected in 2027. He made this pledge during the unveiling of candidates under the Rainbow Coalition at the Yakubu Gowon Township Stadium in Port Harcourt. The event was a political mobilisation gathering centred on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid and the 2027 governorship contest.
The Rainbow Coalition brings together structures from about seven political parties under a common umbrella. The coalition's objectives include securing Tinubu’s re-election, supporting Hon. Chinda's governorship ambition, and mobilising votes for other coalition candidates. This initiative aims to reduce political fragmentation by encouraging candidates from different party platforms to coordinate their campaigns around shared electoral goals.
Hon. Chinda commended Minister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike for the political strategy behind the Rainbow Coalition, describing it as an exercise in bipartisan political cooperation. He emphasised that peace, unity, and inclusive leadership would form the foundation of his administration if elected. The candidate presented the Rainbow Coalition as a platform for bringing different political interests together in pursuit of a common political objective.
The unveiling of the Rainbow Coalition marks the beginning of its political mobilisation efforts. Minister Wike urged Rivers residents to vote for Tinubu as president, Hon. Chinda as governor, and other candidates endorsed under the Rainbow Coalition. He also appealed to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates nationwide to support Tinubu’s re-election, extending his political message beyond Rivers State.
Incumbent Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara appeared at the gathering, handing over flags to candidates representing different political parties within the coalition. His appearance demonstrated the coalition's effort to project a common political front ahead of the 2027 elections. The flag presentation served as a symbolic endorsement of the candidates unveiled at the event.
Earlier speakers urged Rivers residents to support Tinubu’s re-election, citing federal appointments and infrastructure projects attributed to indigenes of the state. They claimed that Rivers had received over 50 notable federal appointments and highlighted the establishment of the Federal University of Environment and the Bonny–Bodo Road project. These points were presented as evidence of the benefits of the administration’s engagement with Rivers.
For Hon. Chinda, the Rainbow Coalition unveiling offered an opportunity to outline the values guiding his proposed administration. His pledge to govern with the fear of God, coupled with promises of unity and an inclusive approach, was directed at voters concerned about political division and the need for stability in Rivers State. The Coalition now seeks to turn its gathering of political figures, candidates, and party supporters into a coordinated campaign for the 2027 elections.
Key points
- Hon. Chinda pledges to govern Rivers State with the fear of God if elected in 2027.
- Minister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike unites 7 political parties under the Rainbow Coalition for the 2027 elections.
- The Rainbow Coalition aims to promote peace, unity, and state cohesion in Rivers State.
