Denge Josef Onoh, former South-East spokesman to President Bola Tinubu, has expressed concerns that Nyesom Wike's Rainbow Coalition may impact the All Progressives Congress's (APC) legislative seats in the 2027 elections. In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja on September 21, 2026, Onoh said the coalition's activities could influence the contest for governorship and National Assembly seats. He urged President Tinubu and the APC leadership to take action.
The Progressive Governors Forum, chaired by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, recently stated that its members would not support any political arrangement that could weaken the APC or affect its candidates in the 2027 elections. This statement comes amid Wike's insistence that the Rainbow Coalition is focused on mobilizing support for Tinubu's re-election and is separate from the APC. Wike has also clarified that he never promised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would not field candidates in the 2027 elections.
Onoh argued that the Rainbow Coalition's involvement in other contests could give it significant influence beyond the presidential election. By preparing to field candidates across the PDP and other platforms for governorship, Senate, and House of Representatives seats, Wike is building an autonomous political empire, according to Onoh. This could potentially strip the APC of legislative and state autonomy.
A strong showing by candidates supported by the coalition in National Assembly elections could create a bloc capable of influencing the choice of principal officers, consideration of budgets, and screening of executive nominees. Onoh also warned that victories in governorship contests could enable the coalition to build political structures at the state level, weakening the APC's grassroots organization.
Onoh linked Wike's current political strategy to the type of political realignment that preceded the formation of the APC. He suggested that Wike could be building structures outside the ruling party to strengthen his bargaining position in future political negotiations. The long-term implications of the coalition should not be viewed only through the 2027 presidential election, Onoh said, as political calculations could extend to the 2031 transition.
Onoh urged President Tinubu and the APC National Working Committee to compel Wike to make a choice between formally joining the APC, resigning as a minister to operate as an opposition politician, or abandoning what Onoh described as a parallel political structure. He emphasized that the time for diplomatic silence was over and called for action before the coalition becomes more entrenched.
The warning from Onoh comes as the APC prepares for the 2027 elections. The party's leadership will need to consider the potential impact of Wike's Rainbow Coalition on its legislative seats. The situation may require careful management to prevent any potential damage to the party's interests.
Key points
- Onoh warns that Wike's Rainbow Coalition could affect APC's legislative seats in 2027.
- The coalition's involvement in other contests could give it significant influence beyond the presidential election.
- Onoh urges President Tinubu and the APC leadership to take action against Wike's parallel political structure.
