A governorship aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Rivers State, Dr. Sokonte Davies, has joined the Rainbow Coalition, a political platform associated with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Davies’ decision comes amid ongoing political realignments in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections and could further reshape the contest among opposition and pro-government political groups in the state.
The development is also significant for the ADC, which is fielding former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate, with former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate. The party has been positioning the Atiku-Amaechi ticket as a major platform ahead of the 2027 election.
Davies, who had sought the ADC governorship ticket in Rivers State, is now aligning with Wike’s coalition, which has been mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election while allowing political actors to pursue interests at other levels of the election.
The Rainbow Coalition has generated debate among political parties, particularly over its potential impact on governorship and legislative contests. Wike has maintained that the coalition is separate from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and is primarily focused on supporting Tinubu’s return to office in 2027.
The FCT minister has also been openly critical of the ADC’s presidential ticket. In recent remarks, Wike questioned the ability of Atiku and Amaechi to secure significant support in Rivers State and urged voters to support Tinubu.
Davies’ movement therefore adds another dimension to the political contest in Rivers, where several groups are attempting to consolidate their structures ahead of the 2027 polls.
The development follows months of political manoeuvring involving the ADC, the Rainbow Coalition and other political formations. Earlier reports indicated that the Rivers ADC had rejected claims of an alliance between the party and Wike’s coalition, insisting that its official structure remained intact.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the movement of individual aspirants and political actors across party lines is expected to remain a major feature of the political landscape.
For Davies, the decision marks a departure from his previous political alignment within the ADC and places him within a coalition that is seeking to build a broader support base around Tinubu’s 2027 presidential bid.
The development is likely to attract further political reactions in Rivers State as parties and coalitions intensify efforts to strengthen their structures ahead of the elections.
