A prominent member of Nigeria's All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the emerging "Rainbow Coalition" associated with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as an extension of the ruling party. The APC leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the coalition provides an alternative political platform for aggrieved APC members ahead of the 2027 general elections. This development has sparked interest among party members dissatisfied with the handling of the party's primaries and internal affairs.
According to the APC chieftain, a growing number of party members are gravitating towards Wike and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). However, he argued that this development should not be interpreted as a threat to President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid. Some APC members who defect to the PDP through Wike's political structure could still work for the President in 2027. The chieftain claimed that Wike has the support of the President on his Rainbow Coalition.
The APC leader further explained that Wike's Rainbow Coalition is an alternative platform for aggrieved APC members who may want to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Instead of joining the ADC, they move to the PDP, where they will be given a ticket or recognition with assurance from them that they will work for Tinubu. He added that anybody who left the party (APC) for ADC is considered an enemy, but if you join PDP, which is led by Wike, you are not a threat.
Another APC official, also speaking anonymously, said some members who felt disadvantaged during the party's nomination processes had resolved to support Tinubu's re-election without necessarily backing APC candidates in their respective states. The official blamed state party leaders for failing to properly manage disputes arising from the primaries. He emphasized that the victory of Mr. President in the next year's election is sacrosanct and remains their major concern.
The official added that party members who felt excluded from the nomination process had the right to seek political alliances capable of protecting their interests. This development comes amid growing tensions between the Wike-led political coalition and the APC Governors' Forum over the former Rivers State governor's activities ahead of the 2027 elections. The APC Governors' Forum had recently rejected political alliances that could undermine the party, its candidates, or Tinubu's re-election bid.
The APC Governors' Forum, chaired by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, unanimously resolved not to support any political arrangement capable of weakening the APC or creating divided loyalty among its members. Uzodimma said the governors had taken this position after a closed-door meeting in Abuja. Meanwhile, findings indicate that aggrieved APC figures in at least 10 states have either defected to the PDP or aligned with Wike's political structure.
Wike has repeatedly declared support for Tinubu's 2027 presidential bid, while maintaining that such support does not prevent him from backing candidates of his choice for other elective positions. The development has sparked interest among political analysts, with many watching closely to see how Wike's Rainbow Coalition will shape the 2027 general elections. Key players in the coalition include politicians operating across different political platforms.
Key points
- APC chieftain describes Wike's Rainbow Coalition as an extension of the ruling party.
- Wike's coalition provides an alternative platform for aggrieved APC members.
- The development may not be a threat to President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid.
