Nyesom Wike, Governor of Rivers State.
Opposition parties in Rivers State have distanced themselves from the so-called 'Rainbow Coalition' led by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Wike, during his controversial tour of the 22 local government areas of the state, had advertised the alliance as “the only party” in Rivers State ready to realize the re-election of Bola Tinubu for a second term as President.
The minister said the coalition is an amalgamation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the Renewed Hope Family, a feat achieved only in Rivers State.
However, the state chapter of the ADC and Labor Party on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, disagreed with Wike's statement and instead distanced themselves from such an alliance.
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He described Wike's statement as inconsistent with facts on the ground and an attempt to dilute the strength of the opposition in the state.
Chairman of the state chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Leader Sampson, told a radio interview on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, that the ADC is “not part of any coalition with the Renewed Hope Family or the Rainbow Coalition.
“ADC is a coalition party where we have people like Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, Atiku Abubakar, and recently His Excellency Gregory Peter Obi joined ADC.
“So when you talk about that coalition of Renewed Hope, ADC is not part of it. ADC is in the coalition and we are the only party that is a credible alternative to Nigerians who are challenging the regressive party called APC.
He said, “ADC, we are the only opposition party in Nigeria to date that has brought hope to Nigerians and Rivers people. That is why we do not know anything about Renewed Hope.”
Sampson said ADC is the only alternative political party for Rivers State to achieve the political will of the state.
“Those who think they are the masters of Rivers will understand that ADC is a political party that has been embraced by Rivers people. And we are working strategically. We are not traditional. Our pattern is not the traditional political pattern that we all know, where people come out and make a lot of noise about what they are doing,” he said.
Similarly, the Rivers State chapter of the Action Democratic Party has also denied being part of the Renewed Hope family or any such alliance.
Chairman of the ADP in Rivers State, Kendrick Christian, said the party is not part of any coalition and does not subscribe to any overarching narrative.
“We have heard ridiculous claims on social media, on electronic media, even on TV recently that there are no political parties anymore in Rivers States, that what they have is Rainbow Coalition or what they have is a Renewed Hope Family or whatever it is called.
“I am speaking officially for the Action Democratic Party, a party that I chair in Rivers State. I don’t know about other political parties, but as for ADP, we are not part of it. We are not part of any Renewed Hope. We are the only party, independent and credible option for the people of Rivers,” he said.
Christian said the ADP is solely focused on giving the Rivers people real choices rooted in principle, transparency and service to the general interest of the state.
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“There should be a proper platform for sensible people to join and aspire to serve the people. And that is what ADP is offering to the people. We are not part of any kind of alliance, any kind of rainbow, any kind of renewing group.
“And this is not only ridiculous, but it is also pathetic for what is happening in Rivers State. The FCT Minister and the Governor of Rivers State, with due respect, apologize to the people of Rivers – this is a public apology.
He said, “Look how disturbed our state is. Look how everything is getting worse by the day. Sadly, this is where we are today. And sadly, a lot of people have not yet realized how much damage this is doing to our economy, how much damage this is doing to the future of this state.”
