Wike Defends Rainbow Coalition, Accuses APC Governors of Political Calculations

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed concerns by some All Progressives Congress governors that the proposed Rainbow Coalition could weaken the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Wike, who spoke on TVC’s Journalists’ Hangout on Monday, said the coalition was primarily focused on mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election and would not prevent politicians from supporting candidates of their choice in governorship and legislative elections.

He argued that supporting Tinubu for president did not necessarily mean abandoning candidates contesting under other political parties.

Wike cited the experience of the G5 governors during the 2023 elections, saying members of the group supported Tinubu’s presidential bid while their respective parties retained their candidates for other elective positions.

“In 2023, core leadership G5, we said we are going to support Mr President. But we never said that all our candidates in other elections will fail. We never said so,” Wike said.

He added that in Rivers State, the G5-backed support for Tinubu did not prevent the Peoples Democratic Party from winning National Assembly and state-level elections.

According to the FCT minister, a similar arrangement could occur in 2027, with politicians supporting Tinubu for president while backing candidates of their preferred parties in governorship and legislative contests.

Wike also alleged that the opposition of some APC governors to the Rainbow Coalition was influenced by their political interests, particularly efforts to shape the composition of the next National Assembly and determine who emerges as its presiding officers.

He specifically alleged that Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma, was positioning himself to become Senate President after leaving office.

Wike claimed that some governors were seeking to influence the emergence of senators and members of the House of Representatives who would subsequently support their preferred candidates for the leadership of the National Assembly.

He said politicians who fail to secure APC tickets could defect to opposition parties, contest on their platforms and, if elected, refuse to support candidates favoured by the governors.

Addressing Uzodimma’s alleged ambition, Wike said he would not support the Imo governor for the position of Senate President.

“Life or death, I will never support a character of Hope Uzodimma to be the Senate President of Nigeria. Everybody knows that,” he said.

Wike, however, maintained that his opposition was not personal, insisting that the political calculations surrounding the 2027 elections should be examined based on their implications for the various contests.

His comments came days after the APC Governors Forum declared that it would neither participate in nor support any political alliance capable of weakening the party, undermining President Tinubu’s re-election or affecting APC candidates at any level in the 2027 elections.

Uzodimma, who read the forum’s communique in Abuja, said the governors would exclusively support APC candidates.

Wike has nevertheless continued to defend the Rainbow Coalition, arguing that its objective is to mobilise support for Tinubu across party lines rather than weaken the APC.

The minister also dismissed reports that Tinubu had allegedly agreed to concede nine states to the PDP or the Rainbow Coalition as part of a political arrangement ahead of the 2027 elections.

He challenged those making the claim to identify the states allegedly covered by the arrangement.

“The nine states, did they tell you the nine states?” Wike asked, urging those behind the report to provide evidence.

Wike said his immediate political objective was to secure Tinubu’s re-election, adding that he would campaign on the administration’s record.

He cited issues including the President’s support for state police and what he described as the devolution of resources and powers to sub-national governments.

“Mr. President is showing his postcard. We are selling Mr. President what he’s been doing, why he should be re-elected,” he said.

The FCT minister also disclosed that Tinubu was aware of the Rainbow Coalition and his activities within the group.

“As I speak to you here, Mr. President knows about my concept, of the rainbow coalition…. Mr. President understands me very well,” Wike said.

The disagreement over the coalition followed the September 15 position of the APC Governors Forum, which said its members would not support or endorse any alliance or political arrangement capable of undermining Tinubu’s re-election, weakening the APC or adversely affecting its candidates.

Wike had previously accused Uzodimma and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of leading opposition to the coalition.

The APC governors, however, have maintained that their position is aimed at protecting the party, its candidates and Tinubu’s re-election.

Meanwhile, efforts to obtain a reaction from APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls placed to his phone.

Sources within the ruling party told The PUNCH that the National Working Committee was working behind the scenes to broker a truce between the two sides ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to the sources, the process is expected to receive further attention following the return of APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, from vacation.

“The party is leaving nothing to chance. Preparations are well underway, and once the national chairman returns at the beginning of the week, he will lead the NWC to meet with the President and discuss the best way to resolve the matter,” a party source said.