ADC dismisses Wike’s influence, ‘Rainbow Coalition’ in Rivers

The Rivers State chapter of the African Democratic Congress has dismissed the political influence of the “Rainbow Coalition,” a mobilisation strategy initiated by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The party said democracy thrives on competition, stressing that every political party has the constitutional right to seek the mandate of the people ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The state chairman of the ADC, Dr Chukwudi Dimkpa, stated this on Thursday in Port Harcourt.

The FCT Minister had said last weekend, in Port Harcourt, that his Rainbow Coalition would produce the governor of Rivers State in 2027.

Making a veiled reference to Wike, Dimkpa said: “While we welcome the emergence of new political movements, the ADC remains focused on building a strong grassroots structure, presenting credible candidates, and offering practical solutions to the challenges facing Nigerians.”

Dimkpa said the party’s strategy was not built around opposition to any particular political party, but on engagement with the electorate.

“Nigerians are increasingly interested in competence, credibility, and capacity,” he said.

He added, “We believe that by presenting a clear vision and demonstrating our commitment to good governance, the ADC will remain a formidable force in the political landscape.

“Ultimately, power belongs to the people, not political parties. The party that earns the trust of the people will prevail.”

He further described the ADC as a people-oriented party with a strong national presence.

“While individuals may choose different political platforms, the values that made ADC attractive to Nigerians remain intact: intern al democracy, inclusiveness, transparency, and a commitment to national development.

“Political parties will continue to experience alignments and realignments. What remains constant is our commitment to serving the people. We are confident that many Nigerians still see ADC as a credible alternative and a platform for genuine change,” he said.

Dimkpa said the party would focus on competence, character, experience, and vision in presenting its candidates in a multi-ethnic society like Rivers State.

He stated: “We believe Rivers people are politically sophisticated enough to look beyond ethnic sentiments and support the candidate who offers the best roadmap for the future.

“Our candidate will be marketed on merit, capacity, and a clear agenda for development.”

On how to mitigate federal influence in elections, Dimkpa said the strongest defence was an informed and vigilant electorate.

“As a party, we intend to strengthen our structures at the ward, local government, and state levels. We will invest heavily in voter education, election monitoring, agent training, and lawful engagement with relevant institutions.

“We also believe that civil society organisations, the media, security agencies, and the international community all have important roles to play in safeguarding democracy,” he said.

He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct free, fair and credible elections, noting that the credibility of the 2027 polls would be critical to Nigeria’s democratic stability.

“We acknowledge that there have been concerns and controversies surrounding previous elections, but democracy requires us to continue engaging constructively with the electoral process.

“We will support every effort aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and voter confidence. We will also continue to advocate for strict adherence to electoral laws and procedures,” he added.

Dimkpa said Nigerians deserved elections in which every vote counts and every voter matters.