Nigerian Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has identified three All Progressives Congress (APC) governors opposed to his Rainbow Coalition Movement. During a TVC News interview, Mr. Wike named Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State as the governors. He accused them of opposing the coalition for "selfish reasons." The Rainbow Coalition Movement aims to support President Tinubu's 2027 re-election bid.
The Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), chaired by Governor Uzodimma, opposes the Rainbow Coalition, citing concerns that it could undermine the APC and its candidates ahead of the 2027 elections. The PGF is a group of APC governors. Governor Uzodimma has secured the APC ticket for Imo West District, despite his tenure as governor expiring in January 2028. Mr. Wike's coalition involves a multi-party arrangement to support President Tinubu's re-election bid.
Mr. Wike suggested that the three governors have personal problems they cannot solve and are trying to muscle him. He stated that they believe the coalition will deprive them of securing victories for their chosen APC senatorial and House of Representatives candidates. The FCT minister claimed that some politicians, including incumbent federal lawmakers, secured PDP tickets after being denied APC tickets by the governors.
Mr. Wike argued that it is better for these politicians to join the PDP, which supports President Tinubu, rather than opposition parties like the African Democratic Congress (ADC) or the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). He stressed that the governors are jittery about the politicians working against their interests if they win in the general election. As a national leader of the PDP faction, Mr. Wike continues to support President Tinubu's re-election bid.
The opposition to the Rainbow Coalition Movement is linked to the Senate Presidency and Speakership positions, according to Mr. Wike. He claimed that the governors fought to secure APC tickets for their preferred candidates to influence the Senate President and House of Representatives Speaker elections in 2027. Mr. Wike stated that the governors succeeded in securing tickets but created problems for themselves in their states.
The problems in their states forced APC members who lost tickets to switch to the PDP and secure party tickets ahead of 2027. Mr. Wike maintained that President Tinubu is aware of the workings of his coalition. The FCT minister emphasized that the governors should solve their internal problems instead of trying to muscle him.
The development highlights the ongoing power struggles within Nigeria's ruling party. Mr. Wike's revelation has sparked interest in the country's political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections. The implications of the Rainbow Coalition Movement and the governors' opposition remain to be seen.
Key points
- Nigerian Minister Nyesom Wike accuses three APC governors of opposing his Rainbow Coalition Movement.
- The coalition aims to support President Tinubu's 2027 re-election bid.
- The opposition is linked to the Senate Presidency and Speakership positions.
