The Rivers State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged a plot to manipulate the 2027 elections in the state, accusing University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Princewill Chike, of being involved.
The party’s Publicity Secretary, Chizy Enyi, made the allegation in a video, claiming Chike is associated with the Rainbow Coalition, a political movement linked to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Enyi alleged that the vice-chancellor could influence the nomination of academics who may serve as returning officers in the 2027 elections. He further claimed that Chike’s appointment as UNIPORT vice-chancellor was backed by Wike.
The ADC spokesperson also alleged that a signpost at the university identifies Chike with the “Academia Rainbow Coalition of the Renewed Hope” and questioned the neutrality of any election officials allegedly recommended through him.
However, there is no evidence establishing that Chike has been assigned the power to appoint INEC returning officers or that he is planning to manipulate the 2027 elections.
INEC’s official guidelines identify returning officers as election officials appointed by the commission. INEC has also previously explained that, while vice-chancellors may submit names of qualified academics, the names are vetted before appointments are made by the commission.
UNIPORT’s official records show that Chike became the university’s 10th vice-chancellor on July 13, 2026, following a selection process conducted by the institution’s Governing Council.
The latest allegation comes amid growing political realignments in Rivers ahead of the 2027 elections. The Rivers ADC has previously rejected claims that it belongs to Wike’s Rainbow Coalition, while Wike has said the coalition will play a role in determining the state’s political leadership in 2027.
Neither Prof. Chike nor UNIPORT has been cited in the available reports as responding specifically to the latest allegation.
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