Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused some All Progressives Congress (APC) governors of opposing his Rainbow Coalition due to their desire to control the emergence of the next National Assembly leadership. Wike made this statement on TVC's 'Journalists Hangout' programme in Abuja, amid a growing spat with some APC governors over the proposed political arrangement. He specifically mentioned Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as those opposed to the coalition.
The Progressive Governors' Forum (PGF), chaired by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, recently stated that its members would not support any political arrangement that could weaken the APC or affect its candidates in the 2027 elections. Wike, however, maintains that his support for President Bola Tinubu's re-election is distinct from contests for governorship and legislative seats. He cited the experience of the G5 governors in the 2023 presidential election, when members supported Tinubu while their parties' candidates contested legislative and state elections.
Wike expressed disappointment over claims that the coalition could destabilize the ruling party, insisting that its objective is to support Tinubu's second-term bid. He recalled that he and other G5 governors had supported Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election without entering an arrangement with the APC, questioning why similar concerns were not raised at the time. According to him, it is premature for politicians to begin making plans for an election several years away.
Denge Onoh, former South-East spokesman to Tinubu, warned that the political activities of Wike's Rainbow Coalition could affect the contest for governorship and National Assembly seats in the 2027 elections. Onoh argued that the coalition's involvement in other contests could give it influence beyond the presidential election. He claimed that a strong showing by candidates supported by the coalition in National Assembly elections could create a bloc capable of influencing the choice of principal officers.
Onoh also warned that victories in governorship contests could enable the coalition to build political structures at the state level, which could weaken the APC's grassroots organization. He urged the President and the APC leadership to intervene in the disagreement between Wike and APC governors over the coalition. Wike, however, said he never promised that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would not field candidates for governorship and legislative elections in 2027.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Adeniyi Adegbonmire, urged APC members not to associate with the coalition, saying the party remained united in Ondo despite grievances arising from its recent primaries. Adegbonmire expressed confidence in the APC's chances in Ondo, saying the party had no serious opposition in the state. He claimed he was not aware of any party member working against the APC.
The disagreement between Wike and APC governors over the Rainbow Coalition has raised concerns about the party's chances in the 2027 general elections. Wike's coalition has sparked debate about the role of political alliances in Nigerian politics and the potential impact on the ruling party. The development has also highlighted the challenges facing the APC as it prepares for the next elections.
Key points
- APC governors oppose Wike's Rainbow Coalition due to concerns it may affect the party's chances in the 2027 general elections.
- Wike accuses APC governors of opposing the coalition to control the emergence of the next National Assembly leadership.
- The disagreement has raised concerns about the APC's chances in the 2027 general elections and the potential impact on Nigerian politics.
