The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has made allegations against some All Progressives Congress (APC) governors, claiming they are opposing the proposed Rainbow Coalition due to a desire to control the National Assembly's leadership. Wike specifically mentioned Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, as being involved in this disagreement ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Wike emphasized that his support for President Bola Tinubu's re-election does not imply support for APC candidates in all other elective contests. He cited the experience of the G5 governors during the 2023 presidential election, who backed Tinubu while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) retained its candidates for other elections. Wike noted that in Rivers State, for example, Tinubu won the presidential election, but PDP candidates won National Assembly and state elections.
The FCT minister argued that the argument that the Rainbow Coalition would confuse voters is misplaced, insisting that Nigerians can distinguish between presidential, governorship, and legislative contests. He alleged that some APC governors oppose the coalition because they want to influence the emergence of senators and members of the House of Representatives who would determine the National Assembly's leadership.
Wike specifically linked the disagreement to Uzodimma's reported interest in becoming Senate President, stating that politicians who secured tickets on platforms other than the APC might not support candidates favored by the governors for National Assembly leadership. He declared that he would never support Uzodimma as Senate President, citing political considerations rather than personal disagreements.
The comments came amid a public dispute between Wike and APC governors over the Rainbow Coalition. The Progressive Governors' Forum (PGF), led by Uzodimma, stated that its members would not support or endorse any arrangement that could weaken the APC or undermine its candidates. Wike maintained that he had never approached the APC governors for an alliance and that the coalition is not an APC structure.
Wike dismissed reports that Tinubu had allegedly agreed to concede nine states to him or the Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 elections, challenging those behind the allegation to produce details. He emphasized that the political debate should be based on verifiable facts rather than speculation and that his priority is to mobilize support for Tinubu's re-election based on the administration's policies and record.
The dispute between Wike and APC governors continues to deepen, with the governors insisting that their commitment is to Tinubu and APC candidates across the ballot. Wike maintains that his commitment to Tinubu's re-election does not amount to a pledge by the PDP to withdraw from governorship and legislative contests in 2027.
Key points
- Wike accuses APC governors of plotting to control National Assembly leadership.
- Dispute deepens between Wike and APC governors over Rainbow Coalition.
- Wike insists commitment to Tinubu's re-election does not affect PDP's participation in other contests.
