The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has made allegations against some All Progressives Congress (APC) governors, claiming they are opposing the proposed Rainbow Coalition to influence the next leadership of the National Assembly. 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 stated that his support for President Bola Tinubu's re-election did not mean he would support APC candidates in all other elective contests. He cited the experience of the G5 governors during the 2023 presidential election, when they backed Tinubu while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) retained its candidates for other elections. Wike recalled that in Rivers State, Tinubu won the presidential election, but PDP candidates won National Assembly and state elections.
The FCT minister alleged that some APC governors wanted to influence the emergence of senators and members of the House of Representatives who would determine the leadership of the National Assembly. He linked this disagreement to Uzodimma's reported interest in becoming Senate President, saying politicians who secured tickets on platforms other than the APC might not support candidates favoured by the governors for National Assembly leadership.
Wike declared that he would never support Uzodimma as Senate President, citing political considerations rather than a personal disagreement. 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 any arrangement that could weaken the APC or undermine its candidates.
Wike insisted that he had never approached the APC governors for an alliance and that the coalition was not an APC structure. He argued that supporting Tinubu for president did not require opposition parties to withdraw their candidates from other elections. Wike dismissed reports that Tinubu had agreed to concede nine states to him or the Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 elections, asking for verifiable facts rather than speculation.
The FCT minister stated that his priority was to mobilise support for Tinubu's re-election, campaigning on the administration's policies and record. He cited issues like the Federal Government's position on state police as part of the policy agenda he would use to mobilise support for the president. The dispute between Wike and APC governors continued to deepen, with the governors insisting on their commitment to Tinubu and APC candidates.
Wike maintained that his commitment to Tinubu's re-election did not amount to a pledge by the PDP to withdraw from governorship and legislative contests in 2027. The minister's comments reflect the ongoing debate over the Rainbow Coalition and its implications for the 2027 general elections.
Key points
- Wike accuses APC governors of plotting to control the National Assembly.
- The disagreement centres on the proposed Rainbow Coalition and its implications for the 2027 general elections.
- Wike insists his support for Tinubu does not mean backing APC candidates in all elections.
