The All Progressives Congress (APC) Grassroots Organisation has warned Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, against allegedly attempting to destabilize the ruling party through his proposed "Rainbow Coalition." The group, led by Chairman Mukhtar Tanimu Rabiu, expressed concerns that Wike's actions could weaken the party, citing his past role in the crisis that affected the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Wike's proposed coalition has sparked disagreement with the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), which has declared that APC governors will not support any arrangement that could undermine the party or its candidates in the 2027 elections. Despite this, Wike maintains that the coalition aims to mobilize support for President Bola Tinubu across party lines, claiming he has not approached the APC Governors' Forum for an alliance.
The APC group accused Wike of attempting to create a parallel political structure within the ruling party, similar to his past actions in the PDP. They alleged that Wike had previously polarized PDP governors, influenced the party's leadership, and attacked major organs, resulting in deep divisions. The group questioned why an opposition party member should be allowed to mount an aggressive campaign that could undermine a major organ of the APC, the Progressive Governors Forum.
The APC Grassroots Organisation also disputed claims that Wike's former PDP G-5 alliance was indispensable to Tinubu's victory in the 2023 presidential election. They pointed to the electoral defeats suffered by three members of the G-5, including former Enugu Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, former Abia Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, and former Benue Governor Samuel Ortom, in their respective senatorial contests.
In contrast, the group noted that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who broke ranks with Wike, was the only member of the G-5 to secure an electoral victory in the 2023 cycle. They also questioned Wike's political influence, alleging that Ikpeazu, Ortom, and Ugwuanyi lost their polling units, wards, and local government areas in the 2023 elections.
The APC group urged the APC leadership to protect the party's structures and prevent competing political interests from creating confusion ahead of the 2027 general elections. They warned that introducing multiple political structures into the campaign could create conflicting interests in states where APC governors are expected to campaign simultaneously for Tinubu and other candidates on the party's platform.
The organisation welcomed Wike's support for Tinubu but insisted that such support should not come at the expense of the ruling party's established structures and candidates. They argued that the ruling party already possesses a broad organisational network, controlling 31 of Nigeria's 36 states, and questioned the need for a separate political structure to mobilise support for Tinubu ahead of 2027.
Key points
- APC Grassroots Organisation warns Wike against destabilizing the party
- Wike's proposed coalition sparks disagreement with Progressive Governors Forum
- Group disputes claims that Wike's former PDP G-5 alliance was indispensable to Tinubu's victory
