The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has explained why its chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, was absent from the recent unveiling of candidates endorsed by the Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party disclosed that Okocha travelled abroad for medical treatment after his health condition worsened, dismissing reports that his absence was linked to a disagreement with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The APC made the clarification in a statement issued on Saturday by its Publicity Secretary, Chibike Ikenga, Naija News reports.
According to the party, Okocha obtained Wike’s approval before travelling abroad for treatment. It described the FCT minister as the National Leader of the Rainbow Coalition and insisted that there was no disagreement between the two political figures.
The statement stressed that Okocha’s absence from the coalition event was purely health-related and should not be interpreted as a sign of a political rift.
It read, “There is NO DISAGREEMENT whatsoever and the Chairman will reunite with the party executive and the Rainbow Coalition upon his return from his medical trip.”
Rivers APC Accuses Political Opponents of Spreading False Reports
The Rivers APC accused political opponents of spreading misleading reports about the relationship between Okocha and Wike, alleging that the claims were intended to create divisions within the Rainbow Coalition.
The party urged its members and supporters to disregard the reports, maintaining that its relationship with the other parties in the coalition remained strong.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to working with other coalition members to achieve victory for President Bola Tinubu, its governorship candidate, Kingsley Ogundu Chinda, and other candidates endorsed by the coalition in the 2027 general elections.
APC Reaffirms Commitment to Rainbow Coalition
Despite Okocha’s absence, the party described the unveiling of the coalition’s candidates as a successful event, expressing confidence in the coalition’s political objectives ahead of the 2027 elections.
The APC reiterated its readiness to collaborate with all parties under the Rainbow Coalition, insisting that Okocha would reunite with the party executive and coalition members after returning from his medical trip.
The clarification comes amid preparations by political parties and alliances to position their candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Rivers APC maintained that Okocha’s absence should not be viewed as evidence of internal divisions, reaffirming its commitment to the coalition and its endorsed candidates.