The All Progressives Congress (APC) Grassroots Organisation has urged President Bola Tinubu and APC leaders to be cautious about Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike's, political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections. The group expressed concerns that Wike's Rainbow Coalition could weaken the APC or create a parallel structure within the party. This warning comes amid growing disagreement between Wike and governors elected on the APC platform.
The APC Grassroots Organisation's chairman, Mukhtar Tanimu Rabiu, issued a statement rejecting the argument that Wike's political influence and his previous G-5 alliance were responsible for President Tinubu's victory in the 2023 presidential election. The group questioned the decision to promote the Rainbow Coalition when the APC already has elected officials and established party structures across the country. They argued that existing party structures should remain central to the 2027 presidential campaign.
Wike has defended his coalition as a platform created to mobilise support for Tinubu's re-election across political parties. He maintains that the coalition is not an APC structure and is not intended to replace the party's organisation. However, the APC Grassroots Organisation warned that allowing a separate political structure to mobilise for the president while supporting candidates outside the APC could create conflicting interests at the state and constituency levels.
The Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, announced that APC governors would not support any political arrangement capable of weakening the party or affecting its candidates in the 2027 elections. The governors' position came after Wike continued to defend his coalition. Uzodimma stated that the forum unanimously resolved that its members will not participate in, support, or endorse any alliance or political arrangement capable of undermining the re-election of Mr President, weakening the APC or adversely affecting any candidate of the party at all levels.
Wike responded to the governors, stating that he never approached the APC governors to enter into an alliance with his Rainbow Coalition. He argued that his political project is specifically targeted at securing support for Tinubu's second-term bid and does not prevent other political parties from fielding candidates for governorship and legislative elections. Wike also accused the APC governors of misunderstanding his political strategy and described them as "politically lazy".
The APC Grassroots Organisation also rejected the suggestion that Wike's former G-5 alliance was an indispensable political force behind Tinubu's emergence as president in 2023. The group cited electoral records of some members of the former group, noting that not all of them performed well in the 2023 elections. They argued that Wike's self-acclaimed street credibility is questionable, given his alleged loss of his local government and Rivers State before the presentation of the controversial Rivers State presidential election result.
The controversy surrounding the Rainbow Coalition has intensified in recent days, with both sides presenting their arguments. The APC Grassroots Organisation accused Wike of attempting to influence APC politics while remaining a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The group claimed that Wike's current activities remind them of the political crisis that affected the PDP before the 2023 election.
Key points
- The APC Grassroots Organisation has warned that Wike's Rainbow Coalition could create a parallel structure within the party.
- The Progressive Governors Forum has stated that APC governors will not support any political arrangement that could weaken the party or affect its candidates.
- Wike has defended his coalition as a platform to mobilise support for Tinubu's re-election across political parties.
