Chief Samson Chukwu Nnamani, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart in Enugu State, has criticized the Progressives Governor’s Forum, led by Governor Hope Uzodinma, over its stance on the Rainbow Coalition. The coalition, initiated by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, aims to galvanize support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election. Nnamani argues that limiting support for Tinubu to only All Progressives Congress (APC) members undermines the constitutionally guaranteed rights of freedom of association.
Nnamani emphasized that cross-party political movements should not be misconstrued as attempts to undermine the APC. He reminded APC governors of the distinction between supporting a presidential candidate and partisan contests for other elective positions. According to him, the opposition to Wike’s coalition cannot be treated as the exclusive responsibility of only APC members. Nnamani also pointed out that Nigeria’s multiparty democracy allows for multiple options and convictions of voters.
The PDP member stressed that a politician can support a presidential candidate from another party while retaining membership of their own party and contesting other elective positions under that party. He cited the 2023 presidential elections, where members of the G5 governors’ group, led by Wike, supported Tinubu’s presidential bid despite remaining PDP members. Nnamani views the Rainbow Coalition as a presidential mobilisation platform, rather than a merger or defection arrangement.
Nnamani defended Wike, stating that the FCT minister has made his stance on mobilizing support for Tinubu clear and unambiguous. He noted that Wike’s initiative allows the PDP and other participating parties to field candidates for other elections. According to Nnamani, Wike never presented the Rainbow Coalition as an APC structure or a mechanism for taking over the ruling party.
The former politician described the Rainbow Coalition as a broad-based political mobilisation platform for Nigerians and politicians from different parties who support Tinubu’s re-election. He faulted the APC Governors’ position that the coalition will weaken the momentum of the President or the party. Nnamani argued that supporting Tinubu for president does not require individuals to cease being members of their political parties.
Nnamani highlighted that presidential politics differ from other contests on the ballot. He stated that a person can support Tinubu for president and still support their party’s candidate for governor or the National Assembly. According to him, this is a fundamental aspect of democracy. Nnamani urged APC governors not to discourage support for Tinubu from non-APC members.
The development indicates that Nigerians are becoming more politically enlightened and conscious. Nnamani’s stance has sparked a renewed debate on the nature of political alliances and support in Nigeria’s multiparty democracy. The issue may have implications for future political mobilization and coalition building in the country.
Key points
- Nnamani urges APC Governors not to limit support for Tinubu to only party members.
- The Rainbow Coalition is a broad-based platform for supporting Tinubu’s re-election.
- Nnamani defends Wike, stating that the coalition does not undermine APC or require members to abandon their parties.
