Wike defends ‘Rainbow Coalition’ for Tinubu and accuses APC governors of hidden motives

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed pushback from All Progressives Congress (APC) governors over his proposed multi-party “Rainbow Coalition,” accusing party figures of opposing the alliance to further their own political ambitions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on television on Monday, Wike insisted that the cross-party movement is designed solely to secure President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, without forcing non-APC politicians to abandon their own party candidates in governorship or legislative contests.

The FCT minister directed specific criticism at Imo State Governor and Progressive Governors Forum Chairman, Hope Uzodimma, alleging that Uzodimma’s opposition to the coalition stems from plans to contest a Senate seat after his term ends and position himself for the Senate Presidency in 2028.

Key details from the minister’s statement include:

• Cross-Party Model: Wike cited the 2023 elections—where the PDP’s “G5” governors backed Tinubu for the presidency while maintaining PDP candidates for state offices—as a proven template for cross-party alliances.
• National Assembly Calculations: The minister alleged that APC governors are attempting to control party primaries to install loyalists in the Senate and House of Representatives who will vote for their preferred presiding officers.
• Denial of Nine-State Deal: Wike rejected reports claiming President Tinubu had agreed to concede nine state governorships to opposition members under the coalition arrangement.
• Presidential Awareness: Confirming that President Tinubu is fully aware of the Rainbow Coalition concept, Wike reiterated his commitment to campaign for the president’s re-election while remaining a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The comments follow a communique issued on 15 September by the Progressive Governors Forum, in which APC governors pledged to support only official APC candidates at all levels, warning that external political arrangements risk weakening the ruling party.

Meanwhile, APC internal sources indicate that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), led by National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, is preparing to meet with President Tinubu to resolve the growing rift between party governors and the FCT minister.