Wike Fires Fresh Salvo at Atiku as Rivers Cross-Party ‘Rainbow Coalition’ Unveils Full Candidate List

Nyesom Wike has launched a scathing new attack on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, warning political actors never to trust the 2027 ADC presidential candidate.

Speaking as the “Rivers Rainbow Coalition” officially released its comprehensive list of cross-party candidates, Wike characterized Atiku as politically unreliable and untrustworthy.

The coalition represents a strategic alignment between loyalists of Nyesom Wike (the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory) across both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The Pro-Wike Cross-Party Strategy

The list deliberately splits nominations between the APC and the PDP, ensuring that Wike’s loyalists control key tickets regardless of party lines. Notably, heavyweights like Felix Amaechi Obuah and Sen. Onyesom Allwell Iheacho are flying the APC banner for the Senate, while long-time Wike ally Sen. Olaka Johnson Nwogu secures the PDP ticket for Rivers Southeast. The dual-party scaffolding allows Wike’s structure to institutionalise control of the legislature in Rivers State.

The inclusion of Rt. Hon. Martin C. Amaewhule (the speaker of the Rivers Assembly) on the Federal House of Representatives list for Obio/Akpor under the APC underscores a broader realignment. Key state lawmakers and local power brokers have also been structured into the unified cross-party coalition, with Wike fortifying a legislative and federal defensive wall to maintain his grip on Rivers politics.

The National Dimension: The Atiku Feud

Wike’s fresh assault on Atiku Abubakar is deeply tied to this local consolidation. This cross-party “Rainbow” mechanism effectively creates a regional political bloc that answers directly to Wike.

Wike Renews Attacks on Atiku

Coinciding with the release of the coalition lists, Nyesom Wike issued a stern warning regarding Atiku Abubakar’s political character, referencing their shared history during the 2019 and 2023 electoral cycles.

“I pray you never know him,” Wike stated, referring to the former PDP presidential standard-bearer. “I ran with him in the 2022 presidential primaries. In 2019, I was one of the biggest sponsors for that presidential election. He’s not a man that you can go to the bank with his words. He tells you another thing in the morning, he tells you another thing in the afternoon.”

Full List: Rivers Rainbow Coalition Candidates

Senatorial Candidates

1. Bro. Felix Amaechi Obuah – Rivers West Senatorial District (APC)
2. Sen. Onyesom Allwell Iheacho – Rivers East Senatorial District (APC)
3. Sen. Olaka Johnson Nwogu – Rivers Southeast Senatorial District (PDP)

House of Representatives Candidates

1. Hon. Bob Solomon – Abua-Odual/Ahoada East Fed. Constituency (APC)
2. Hon. Victor C. Obuzor – Ahoada West/Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Fed. Const. (APC)
3. Hon. Cyril Godwin Hart – Degema/Bonny Fed. Constituency (APC)
4. Hon. Jack Isobo Solomon – Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru Fed. Constituency (APC)
5. Hon. Linda Somiari-Stewart – Okrika/Ogu-Bolo Fed. Constituency (APC)
6. Hon. Frederick Boma Apiafi – Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Fed. Constituency (APC)
7. Hon. Felix Uche Nwaeke – Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo Fed. Constituency (APC)
8. Hon. Dumnamene R. Dekor – Khana/Gokana Fed. Constituency (APC)
9. Rt. Hon. Martin C. Amaewhule – Obio/Akpor Fed. Constituency (APC)
10. Hon. Blessing C. Amadi – Port Harcourt II Fed. Constituency (APC)
11. Kelechi G. Nwogu – Etche/Omuma Fed. Constituency (PDP)
12. Arthur O. Uchendu – Ikwerre/Emohua Fed. Constituency (PDP)
13. Achinike Okogbule-Wonodi – Port Harcourt I Fed. Constituency (PDP)

State House of Assembly Candidates

1. Dominic I. John – Abua/Odual Constituency (PDP)
2. Napoleon N. Ukalikpe – Ahoada East II Constituency (APC)
3. Queen U. Tony-Williams – Ahoada East I Constituency (PDP)
4. Reuben Izu – Ahoada West Constituency (PDP)
5. Victor Dagogo-Jack – Akuku-Toru I Constituency (APC)
6. Hon. Lolo I. Opuende – Akuku-Toru II Constituency (APC)
7. Hon. Christopher K. Ofiks – Andoni Constituency (APC)
8. Tekenari W. Granville – Asari-Toru I Constituency (APC)
9. Enemi Alabo George – Asari-Toru II Constituency (APC)
10. Soparagha S. Jumbo – Bonny Constituency (APC)
11. Peters E. Abbey – Degema Constituency (APC)
12. Hon. Aforji Igwe-Obey – Eleme Constituency (APC)
13. Hon. Ignatius O. Onwuka – Etche Constituency I (PDP)
14. Hon. Chimezie C. Nwankwo – Etche Constituency II (APC)
15. Justina Emeji – Emohua Constituency (PDP)
16. Hon. Dumle Maol – Gokana Constituency (APC)
17. Prince Lemchi Nyeche – Ikwerre Constituency (PDP)
18. Barile Nwakoh – Khana I Constituency (PDP)
19. Bulabari H. Loolo – Khana II Constituency (APC)
20. Ezebunwo L. Ejekwu – Obio/Akpor I Constituency (APC)
21. Emilia L. Amadi – Obio/Akpor II Constituency (PDP)
22. Okobiriari A. Davids – Ogu/Bolo Constituency (APC)
23. Opuene T. Atekebo – Okrika Constituency (APC)
24. Hon. Nwabochi F. Uchenna – Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni I Constituency (APC)
25. Ijeoma Ezekwe – Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni II Constituency (PDP)
26. Enyinna S. Nwankwo – Omuma Constituency (PDP)
27. Kenneth G. Minimah – Opobo/Nkoro Constituency (APC)
28. Hon. Gerald C. Oforji – Oyigbo Constituency (APC)
29. Hon. Solomon Wami – Port Harcourt I Constituency (APC)
30. Hon. Tonye Smart Adoki – Port Harcourt II Constituency (APC)
31. Hon. Azeru Opara – Port Harcourt III Constituency (APC)
32. Bernard B. Ngbar – Tai Constituency (PDP)