The All Progressives Congress (APC) Rivers State chapter has denied allegations that its efforts to bring political factions back together are preparations for the 2027 elections, insisting it aims to foster political stability and development.
The party’s spokesman, Chibuike Ikenga, and the Rainbow Coalition Support explained the initiative as an attempt to bring political stakeholders together and iron out the existing differences in the state while appearing on ARISE News.
According to Mr Ikenga, the consensus reached by the political stakeholders is not an election year arrangement but a show of unity and good governance. He says that the coalition expects to establish a platform where different interests will unite to develop the state.
In reply to a question posed by Ilonu Nwobu-Basa regarding a reconciliation meeting that brought together the minister for the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara; and APC gubernatorial candidate, O.K. Chinda, Mr Ikenga said the meeting was a crucial step towards solving political differences.
He expressed gratitude to Mr Wike, the chairperson of the Rainbow Coalition, for bringing together factions of politicians that were formerly at loggerheads in the state.
Mr Ikenga also noted some recent political occurrences that have proven the strength of the coalition. This includes the defection of Sekonte Davies, a gubernatorial aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), back to the APC and membership of the coalition. He also mentioned the adoption of the APC-led initiative by the Rivers State branch of the Labour Party.
The APC spokesman indicated that the Rainbow Coalition is dedicated to ensuring transparency, accountability in government institutions, credible elections and developmental processes that favour the people in the state.
He also denied any claims that the governor could take a separate political path, adding that Mr Fubara had already come out in support of the coalition and the APC gubernatorial candidate.
According to him, the efforts at reconciliation have created a conducive environment for economic and infrastructural activities in the state
