Nigeria's Minister of Works, David Umahi, has dismissed reports of a serious disagreement between him and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over the Rainbow Coalition. Umahi made the clarification in Abuja while addressing journalists on Federal Government's infrastructure projects. He emphasized that their political relationship remains intact despite attempts by opponents to portray them as being at loggerheads.
Umahi's comments come amid earlier disagreements within the All Progressives Congress over the Rainbow Coalition, a political platform promoted by Wike to mobilize support for President Bola Tinubu's re-election in 2027. Wike has maintained that the coalition is not an APC platform and aims to bring politicians from different parties together to support Tinubu at the presidential level.
The position has generated concerns among some APC leaders, particularly governors who fear that such an arrangement could affect the party's candidates in other elections. In September, Umahi had rejected reports of a Rainbow Coalition arrangement in Ebonyi State while inspecting the Calabar-Abuja Superhighway in Benue State. He denied any such arrangement in the state and emphasized that Wike's candidate cannot break their relationship.
The APC leadership in the South-East had also rejected the Rainbow Coalition and expressed support for the Progressive Governors' Forum led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma. The South-East APC leadership criticized Wike's remarks against governors who opposed his political arrangement and vowed to resist moves capable of weakening the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Umahi also explained his decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party for the APC before becoming a minister. He cited the PDP's failure to recognize and adequately reward the political support it received from the South-East as a reason for his defection. Umahi warned politicians planning to campaign in Ebonyi against using their campaigns to promote hate speech or cause disorder in the state.
The Works Minister rejected allegations that he had used his position to concentrate Federal Government projects in the South-East. Umahi cited projects such as the Obanewi-Okiwe axis linking parts of Imo State, a road connecting Otuocha in Anambra State to Ibaji in Kogi State, the Second Niger Bridge, and associated bypass projects as examples of infrastructure being delivered in the region.
Umahi made his support for Tinubu's 2027 re-election bid clear, citing his assessment of the President's vision, reforms, and infrastructure program. He argued that continuity would be necessary to ensure that major infrastructure projects are completed, warning that a change in government could affect ongoing projects.
Key points
- Umahi clarifies his relationship with Wike, emphasizing they need each other.
- The Rainbow Coalition has generated concerns among APC leaders.
- Umahi supports Tinubu's 2027 re-election bid, citing his vision and infrastructure program.
