BAYELSA RAINBOW COALITION DISOWNS ‘OMONS FAMILY’ OVER ALLEGED ENDORSEMENT OF 2027 CANDIDATES

YENAGOA — The Bayelsa State Rainbow Coalition has disowned a group identified as the “Omons Family” over its alleged endorsement of some candidates for the 2027 general elections, declaring that the group is not recognised as an authorised organ of the political organisation.

The Coalition said the purported endorsement did not represent its official position, warning that no individual or group operating outside its recognised leadership structure had the authority to speak or make political commitments on its behalf.

The position was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Coalition’s spokesperson, Hon. Ikaebimo Mark, who also serves as the State Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State.

Mark clarified that the Chairman of the Bayelsa PDP, Hon. Chief Alabh George Turnah, MON, Esq., is the leader of the Rainbow Coalition in the state.

He maintained that any endorsement or political declaration attributed to the Coalition must receive due authorisation from its recognised leadership before it could be regarded as official.

“The said group is not recognised as an authorised organ, committee or representative body of the Bayelsa State Rainbow Coalition, and no statement or endorsement issued by it should be regarded as an official position of the Coalition,” the statement said.

The Coalition consequently disassociated itself from any purported endorsement or political declaration attributed to the Omons Family, urging members of the public, political parties, candidates and the media to disregard such claims as its official position.

It stressed that the Coalition had an established leadership and organisational structure through which its political decisions, endorsements and official communications must be conveyed.

According to Mark, no individual, group or association operating outside that structure could legitimately announce endorsements or present any candidate as having secured the Coalition’s backing without the approval of its leadership.

The spokesperson further cautioned individuals and groups against using the Coalition’s name, identity or organisational structure in ways capable of creating confusion or misleading the public about its political position ahead of the 2027 elections.

“The Rainbow Coalition is bigger than any individual or self-appointed group, and nobody can speak for the organisation without the authority to do so,” he declared.

He added that the Coalition remained committed to orderly, transparent and coordinated political engagement, assuring that its official positions would be communicated through recognised leadership and authorised channels.

The statement urged political stakeholders and members of the public to verify claims of endorsement attributed to the Coalition through the appropriate channels rather than relying on declarations made by groups whose authority had not been established.

The development comes amid political realignments and preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections, with endorsements and alliances expected to feature prominently in the political activities of parties and political groups across Bayelsa State.