By Clement Nwabuko
PORT HARCOURT (PRECISE POST) – The Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 general election, Rt. Hon. Ogundu Kingsley Chinda, has pledged to govern the state with the fear of God if elected governor on May 29, 2027.
Chinda made the pledge during the unveiling of candidates of the rainbow coalition at a mammoth political gathering held at the Yakubu Gowon Township Stadium, Elekahia, Port Harcourt, where party faithful and supporters converged to demonstrate their commitment to the political alliance.
The governorship candidate, dressed in white with touches of blue and surrounded by party insignia and campaign signages bearing his image and that of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, projected confidence and readiness for the task ahead.
He expressed optimism that candidates of the rainbow coalition across the various elective positions would emerge victorious in the 2027 elections and collectively form a government anchored on unity, peace and inclusive governance.
Chinda said the coalition’s vision was to build a Rivers State free from rancour, division and winner-takes-all politics, stressing that peaceful coexistence and political cohesion remained indispensable to sustainable development.
He commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, for his political ingenuity in conceptualising and driving the rainbow coalition initiative, which has brought together political structures from about seven parties under a common platform.
According to him, the alliance represents a strategic, bipartisan effort aimed at securing the re-election of President Tinubu, his emergence as Rivers State governor, and electoral victories for other coalition candidates contesting various positions.
Chinda maintained that the initiative’s underlying philosophy was rooted in peace, unity and collective progress, describing these values as essential ingredients for rebuilding trust, strengthening state cohesion and accelerating development in Rivers State.
Earlier, party stalwarts called on Rivers people to support President Tinubu’s re-election bid, citing what they described as the unprecedented federal appointments allocated to the state under his administration.
They also highlighted the establishment of the Federal University of Environment and the completion of the long-delayed Bonny-Bodo Road project, which they said had significantly improved connectivity by providing road access to Bonny Island.
The speakers urged voters to sustain the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government, arguing that continued political cooperation would create more opportunities for the state.
A major highlight of the event was the appearance of incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who presented flags to the coalition candidates, signalling his endorsement of their political aspirations.
Fubara’s appearance drew enthusiastic reactions from the crowd as he reinforced calls for collective support for the candidates and declared that Rivers State had only one political leader, identifying Wike as the leader of the state’s political structure.
The FCT minister, who remained a central figure at the gathering, energised supporters with his characteristic dance moves to musical interludes, drawing cheers from the audience.
Addressing the crowd, Wike urged Rivers voters to support Tinubu for president, Chinda for governor and all other candidates fielded under the rainbow coalition.
He also appealed to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates across the country to support Tinubu’s re-election, stressing the importance of political cooperation in achieving the coalition’s objectives.
The gathering underscored the coalition’s determination to consolidate its political structures ahead of the 2027 general election, with its leaders expressing confidence that the alliance would translate into electoral victories across Rivers State and beyond.
