Campaign buses branded with the Rainbow Coalition logo, a political movement spearheaded by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, have arrived in Rivers State ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s planned visit to the state on Saturday.
The arrival of the buses comes amid preparations for Tinubu’s two-state visit to Akwa Ibom and Rivers States, where he is expected to commission projects and attend political rallies as part of activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Rainbow Coalition is a cross-party political movement established by Wike to mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
The movement, which comprises politicians from different political parties, is built around Wike’s proposal for an alliance that would support Tinubu for president while allowing participating parties and politicians to pursue their individual ambitions in other elective positions.
Under the arrangement, members of the coalition would support Tinubu’s presidential ambition but remain free to back different candidates for governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly seats.
The political arrangement has generated controversy within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with some party leaders opposing the proposed split-voting strategy.
The Progressives Governors’ Forum, led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, reportedly rejected the arrangement, arguing that allowing coalition members to support different parties in other elections could confuse voters and undermine the supremacy of the APC.
Vice President Kashim Shettima also publicly opposed the proposal, insisting that the ruling party wanted to secure victories across all elective positions rather than limit its support to the presidential election.
The Rainbow Coalition, however, has continued its political activities in Rivers State, where it recently unveiled 49 candidates for the 2027 general elections.
Among those unveiled was Kingsley Chinda as its governorship candidate, with the arrangement reportedly enjoying backing from the APC.
The arrival of the campaign buses ahead of Tinubu’s visit is seen as part of the coalition’s mobilisation efforts to demonstrate support for the President’s re-election ambition in Wike’s home state.
According to the Presidency, Tinubu will depart Abuja on Friday, November 6, for a two-state visit, beginning with Akwa Ibom before proceeding to Rivers State on Saturday.
The President is expected to arrive in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, where he will commission several projects completed by Governor Umo Eno’s administration and attend a political rally.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, said the projects scheduled for commissioning include the new International Terminal Building, the International Airport Hospital and the Ibom Aviation Village, all located at Victor Attah International Airport.
Other projects include the Airport-Okopedi Road, which connects communities in Nsit Atai and Okobo Local Government Areas, and Ring Road 3, linking Idoro Road to Ikot Ekpene Road through Uyo and Ibiono Ibom.
Tinubu is also expected to commission the AKWA-GIS Office Complex, the Command and Control Centre and the ARISE Palm Resort.
Ahead of the visit, Governor Eno declared Friday a work-free day across Akwa Ibom State to enable residents and workers to participate in welcoming the President.
The Presidency said the visit would provide an opportunity for Tinubu to interact with political stakeholders, APC members and supporters in the state.
On Saturday, the President will proceed to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he is expected to participate in an APC political rally.
The rally will be Tinubu’s third since he officially flagged off activities for his 2027 re-election campaign in Kaduna State last month.
