₦airaland Forum

The Rainbow King: What Wike Is Really Building in Rivers State and Why It Should Terrify Everyone
In Naija politics, the most dangerous man in any room is never the one making the loudest noise.



It is the one who has already decided how the room ends while everyone else is still arguing about where to sit.



On Saturday May 30, 2026, at a luncheon in Port Harcourt aired on the Nigerian Television Authority, Nyesom Wike stood before members of the Peoples Democratic Party, the All Progressives Congress, the Labour Party, and the Action Alliance, all in the same hall, all on the same side, all answering to one convener.



A PDP minister. Hosting APC, LP, AA, and PDP candidates together. In the same room. In the same state. On the same evening.



He called it the Rainbow Coalition.



In Naija politics, that is not a coalition. That is a kingdom. And the man wearing the crown is not the governor. He is not even in elected office. He is the minister who just finished dismantling a governor's career and is now building the architecture for whatever comes next.



Let us talk about what that architecture actually looks like. And what it is really designed for.







How The Rainbow Was Built: From Two Chairmen to Four Parties



This did not start on May 30. It started months earlier with a move so audacious that most political observers dismissed it as theatre.



Earlier this year, Wike hosted both the PDP state chairman and the APC state chairman in Rivers State at the same event. He challenged any politician in Nigeria to replicate what he had done. Bring your party's chairman and your main opponent's party chairman to the same stage. At the same time. Without any of them fighting.



Nobody took the challenge. Because nobody else had the political weight, the financial resources, and the personal relationships required to make that happen.



Then the experiment expanded.



Two chairmen became four parties. PDP, APC, LP, AA, all brought under the Rainbow Coalition umbrella, all attending a luncheon, all eating at the same table, all agreeing to the same basic proposition: we will collectively choose one governorship candidate for Rivers State in 2027.



Wike declared at the luncheon: "The Rainbow Coalition, we have not chosen who will be the governor of Rivers State. But we have party candidates who have emerged under the Rainbow Coalition. The only decision we have taken is that we are going to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu."



One decision confirmed. Tinubu support. Everything else, meaning who becomes governor, remains in Wike's hand to dispense at the appropriate moment.



He said: "You must come here. Everybody here, whether you are APC, whether you are PDP, whether you are in Labour, whether you are AA, you are all okay for the state."



You are all okay for the state. Translation: nobody has been chosen yet. Which means everyone still needs to remain loyal to the man holding the selection authority. Which means the queue is still open. Which means Wike's leverage over every single aspirant in that room is intact.



That is not diplomacy. That is management. And it is brilliant.







The Olive Branch to Fubara's Camp: Forgiveness as a Power Move



One of the most revealing moments of the May 30 luncheon was what Wike said about his defeated political godson.



He extended what he described as forgiveness to the Fubara camp and stated that anyone seeking a political future in Rivers State must join the Rainbow Coalition.



Read that sentence twice.



Not that Fubara's supporters are welcome if they choose to come. Not that the door is open should they want to reconcile.



Anyone seeking a political post in Rivers State must join the Rainbow team.



Must. Not should. Not can. Must.


Click the Link below to read more about this 👇🏾

https://www.ourpalaver.com/terminal/naija-politics/post/L8M5XjWC

Wike and tinubu are on the same level as political strategists...


I can't think of better political strategists than both men in this political era. Both are con men who don't care how they achieve their ambitions as long as they achieve it.


Wike's politics is more dirty and perhaps more violent though.

But in essence both men are different sides of the same coin!

There is a difference, Wike is using money to keep them.
But here's the twist, with the recent court cases, he does not have the structure of both parties, he only have people that wants his money.

The people of Rivers state are not with him and he knows that.
We are waiting for the coming weeks if the appeal court ruling will dismantle the council chairmen, if it does. Then that coalition will implode

richmond500:
There is a difference, Wike is using money to keep them.
But here's the twist, with the recent court cases, he does not have the structure of both parties, he only have people that wants his money.

The people of Rivers state are not with him and he knows that.
We are waiting for the coming weeks if the appeal court ruling will dismantle the council chairmen, if it does. Then that coalition will implode

Someone is building a bipartisanship coalition that is united on a political goal - the Presidency and you are hoping for one weak court case pending to decide local govt chairmen's legality to remain in office to disrupt what exactly ?

Democracy is all about bridge building , dialogue and negotiations.

Wike is doing just that and you are dismissing it .

FSBoperator:
Someone is building a bipartisanship coalition that is united on a political goal - the Presidency and you are hoping for one weak court case pending to decide local govt chairmen's legality to remain in office to disrupt what exactly ?

Democracy is all about bridge building , dialogue and negotiations.

Wike is doing just that and you are dismissing it .

politicians have an interest.
Building a coalition and deciding the factors on who gets ticket or not will never work in Nigerian political system of greed.

That coalition may not lady till next year February that was why he is careful with choosing who will be Governor

richmond500:
politicians have an interest.
Building a coalition and deciding the factors on who gets ticket or not will never work in Nigerian political system of greed.

That coalition may not lady till next year February that was why he is careful with choosing who will be Governor

That's up for Wike to worry about.

His coalition is geared towards winning the Presidency in Rivers state and if it involves handing the rivers state governorship to one of the coalition partners so be it.

By the way, didn't your obi once negotiated with Wike to allow him win Rivers in exchange of Wike controlling who becomes governor despite LP having a governorship candidate ?

How do you think the LP candidate will feel towards Giringori who was trading his aspiration to be governor in exchange of Wike helping him to win Rivers?

FSBoperator:
That's up for Wike to worry about.

His coalition is geared towards winning the Presidency in Rivers state and if it involves handing the rivers state governorship to one of the coalition partners so be it.

By the way, didn't your obi once negotiated with Wike to allow him win Rivers in exchange of Wike controlling who becomes governor despite LP having a governorship candidate ?

How do you think the LP candidate will feel towards Giringori who was trading his aspiration to be governor in exchange of Wike helping him to win Rivers?

most of u think once someone doesn't go with the tyrant Wike or Tinubu, he is automatically obedient.

Maybe, somehow I have judge Obi wrongly, he is actually a good man cos whenever a topic is centred around those that oppresses, you feel that person is Obi.

I could be Donald Duke supporter or GET supporter, but alas u felt I was obedient.

brain54:
Wike and tinubu are on the same level as political strategists...


I can't think of better political strategists than both men in this political era. Both are con men who don't care how they achieve their ambitions as long as they achieve it.


Wike's politics is more dirty and perhaps more violent though.

But in essence both men are different sides of the same coin!

Exactly the case. Wike has no option than to back Tinubu is what it sounds like. Atiku is Tinubu's opponent, Wike also became Atiku's opponent. Tinubu found that my enemy's enemy could be my friend, this is why he can't let him go. Wike's relevance is tied to being a minister in Tinubu's cabinet. He is very useful for his type of politics. Buying houses for judges and trying to wet ground. That's why Aisha calls him boy boy🤡 Corruption 26

Tinubu also likes those who have something to lose so they can fight for him. If Wike wants to remain relevant, he needs Tinubu to be there. Wike has held more press conferences than the president of the country. Despite people saying Tinubu should call him to order, even the APC followers now know that Tinubu can't let him go. They need to rig Rivers in 2027 again. I just saw Wike's media chat and again, he is talking about politics. Always politics.

richmond500:
most of u think once someone doesn't go with the tyrant Wike or Tinubu, he is automatically obedient.

Maybe, somehow I have judge Obi wrongly, he is actually a good man cos whenever a topic is centred around those that oppresses, you feel that person is Obi.

I could be Donald Duke supporter or GET supporter, but alas u felt I was obedient.

How is Wike a tyrant?

The real tyrant was Fubara who saw himself as a monarch and refused to work with the legislative branch in Rivers.

Fubara remains the luckiest person on earth because if not for Wike, the level 14 Rivers state staff would never had dreamt of being a local government chairman talk more of governor

And when they placed him there , he began thinking he was above the law

He is lucky that Tinubu saved his ass from being rightly impeached for bypassing legislative oversights.

FSBoperator:
How is Wike a tyrant?

The real tyrant was Fubara who saw himself as a monarch and refused to work with the legislative branch in Rivers.

Fubara remains the luckiest person on earth because if not for Wike, the level 14 Rivers state staff would never had dreamt of being a local government chairman talk more of governor

And when they placed him there , he began thinking he was above the law

He is lucky that Tinubu saved his ass from being rightly impeached for bypassing legislative oversights.

Without federal backing, it will be hard for lawmakers to impeach a Governor in present day Nigeria

Parachoko:
Without federal backing, it will be hard for lawmakers to impeach a Governor in present day Nigeria

Did Obasanjo prevent obi from being impeached ?

FSBoperator:
Did Obasanjo prevent obi from being impeached ?

Is Obi Obasanjo's Candidate?

It seems you don't know Obi who was a member of APGA back then, was impeached by a PDP dominated Anambra state house of Assembly

Why will Obasanjo protect Obi an APGA member from the PDP dominated House of Assembly?

Obasanjo could have ordered the PDP lawmakers not to impeach him if he wanted to, but he didn't interfere.


In present day Nigeria, no state house of assembly can impeach a Governor without the backing of the FG

Parachoko:
Is Obi Obasanjo's Candidate?

It seems you don't know Obi who was a member of APGA back then, was impeached by a PDP dominated Anambra state house of Assembly

Obj never intervened in Obi's impeachment.

Obi only escaped impeachment by rubbing to the courts to halt the impeachment from going forward

If as you claim federal might can ensure who gets impeached or not, why did Obasanjo who was aligned to the Mba brothers not have Obi removed?

FSBoperator:
Obj never intervened in Obi's impeachment.

Obi only escaped impeachment by rubbing to the courts to halt the impeachment from going forward[

If as you claim federal might can ensure who gets impeached or not, why did Obasanjo who was aligned to the Mba brothers not have Obi removed?

The Uba brothers were members of the PDP

The PDP lawmakers in the Anambra state house of Assembly impeachead Obi who's a member of APGA

Obi was impeached

Why will Obasanjo a PDP member protect Obi an APGA member?

If Obasanjo was supporting Obi, Obi would never have being impeached

Parachoko:
The Uba brothers were members of the PDP

The PDP lawmakers in the Anambra state house of Assembly impeachead Obi who's a member of APGA

Obi was impeached

Why will Obasanjo a PDP member protect Obi an APGA member?

If Obasanjo was supporting Obi, Obi would never have being impeached

But the courts saved him.

If Obasanjo was interested in his removal , the courts won't have saved his ass.

FSBoperator:
But the courts saved him.

If Obasanjo was interested in his removal , the courts won't have saved his ass.

He was impeached, Obi deputy was sworn in as the Governor.

She ruled till Feb 2007 when the Court annuled the wuruwuru impeachment that took place in Asaba

FSBoperator:
But the courts saved him.

If Obasanjo was interested in his removal , the courts won't have saved his ass.

In November or December 2006, Peter Obi was impeached by PDP lawmakers in Asaba, even with federal backing, they couldn't hold their illegal sitting in Anambra state

In present day Nigeria, no Governor can be impeached without Federal backing

Parachoko:
The Uba brothers were members of the PDP

The PDP lawmakers in the Anambra state house of Assembly impeachead Obi who's a member of APGA

Obi was impeached

Why will Obasanjo a PDP member protect Obi an APGA member?

If Obasanjo was supporting Obi, Obi would never have being impeached

why didn't Obasanjo protect ekiti , plateau and oyo state governors who were PDP members and the lawmakers were PDP members from impeaching the three governors ?

yarimo:
why didn't Obasanjo protect ekiti , plateau and oyo state governors who were PDP members and the lawmakers were PDP members from impeaching the three governors ?

If you are not too young in the 2000s and you're actively following politics like I was doing, then you will know Obasanjo wanted Fayose out.

If Obasanjo does not want him impeached, the lawmakers won't have illegally impeached him.

And there was two factions in the Ekiti State House of Assembly.

A faction backed by Politicians in Abuja were operating in Lagos state

While the faction loyal to Fayose were operating in Ekiti


Obasanjo eventually suspended all the Lawmakers and Fayose

Obasanjo could have stopped majority of the lawmakers who illegally removed him.


Fayose fled Nigeria because he knows Obasanjo will deal with him


Go and learn history before you argue blindly.

In present day Nigeria, No Governor can be impeached without the backing of the FG

Parachoko:
If you are not too young in the 2000s and you're actively following politics like I was doing, then you will know Obasanjo wanted Fayose out.

If Obasanjo does not want him impeached, the lawmakers won't have illegally impeached him.

And there was two factions in the Ekiti State House of Assembly.

A faction backed by Politicians in Abuja were operating in Lagos state

While the faction loyal to Fayose were operating in Ekiti


Obasanjo eventually suspended all the Lawmakers and Fayose

Obasanjo could have stopped majority of the lawmakers who illegally removed him.


Fayose fled Nigeria because he knows Obasanjo will deal with him


Go and learn history before you argue blindly.

In present day Nigeria, No Governor can be impeached without the backing of the FG

just simple question you are typing long rubbish. Was Obasanjo not a PDP president when three governors were impeached? isn't that a simple question Mr over Sabi

yarimo:
just simple question you are typing long rubbish. Was Obasanjo not a PDP president when three governors were impeached? isn't that a simple question Mr over Sabi

I thought you're someone with common sense, I shouldn't have wasted my time on you


Obasanjo supported the illegal impeachment of Fayose in 2006

Parachoko:
Stop sounding D f a t nah

Obasanjo supported the illegal impeachment of Fayose in 2006

over Sabi you must answer this simple question. Was Obasanjo not a PDP president when three governors were impeached? Isn't that simple question

yarimo:
over Sabi you must answer this simple question. Was Obasanjo not a PDP president when three governors were impeached? Isn't that simple question

Obasanjo supported the impeachment of the 3 governors by the state assemblies, without federal support, the state lawmakers in the 3 states won't carry out the impeachments.

You're the clown who is not ready to focus on my main point which is

State Lawmakers can't impeach a Governor in present day Nigeria without the support of the FG


You can't compare what happened in Anambra state with the scenario in Oyo or Ekiti.

In Ekiti, 22 lawmakers who had the backing of Abuja was operating in Lagos, without the support of ABJ, they would have been powerless against Fayose.

They couldn't even sit in Ekiti

Parachoko:
Obasanjo supported the impeachment of the 3 governors by the state assemblies, without federal support, the state lawmakers in the 3 states won't carry out the impeachments.

You're the clown who is not ready to focus on my main point which is

State Lawmakers can't impeach a Governor in present day Nigeria without the support of the FG


You can't compare what happened in Anambra state with the scenario in Oyo or Ekiti.

In Ekiti, 22 lawmakers who had the backing of Abuja was operating in Lagos, without the support of ABJ, they would have been powerless against Fayose.

They couldn't even sit in Ekiti

hahahaha was Obasanjo not a PDP president when three governors were impeached?

yarimo:
over Sabi you must answer this simple question. Was Obasanjo not a PDP president when three governors were impeached? Isn't that simple question

There's nothing like over Sabi

Due process was not followed when he was impeached.

The impeachment was later annulled by the Court

Make una kukuma just go court...

yarimo:
hahahaha was Obasanjo not a PDP president when three governors were impeached?

k

Parachoko:
k

ok son

richmond500:
There is a difference, Wike is using money to keep them.
But here's the twist, with the recent court cases, he does not have the structure of both parties, he only have people that wants his money.

The people of Rivers state are not with him and he knows that.
We are waiting for the coming weeks if the appeal court ruling will dismantle the council chairmen, if it does. Then that coalition will implode

At the end of the day, the people of Rivers must vote a party. When all the parties are in his pocket, then the people of Rivers are boxed into a corner and have no other option

obeegee:
At the end of the day, the people of Rivers must vote a party. When all the parties are in his pocket, then the people of Rivers are boxed into a corner and have no other option

all parties are not in his pocket.
Only APC and PDP are, and they are already having a court case

richmond500:
all parties are not in his pocket.
Only APC and PDP are, and they are already having a court case

The man has strong influence over the judiciary. I doubt the rulings will not favour him at the end. ADC is also in court. So if the ruling does not favour David Mark's group, you can bet Wike owns the other camp

richmond500:
all parties are not in his pocket. Only APC and PDP are, and they are already having a court case

At the end, the rain that will fall will blur the rainbow 🌈. As it stands now both APC and PDP have no governorship candidates. So whatever rainbow will become raincloud.