Several state chapters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have rejected the Rainbow Coalition being promoted by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, urging him to join the ruling party foormally if he is serious about supporting President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election.
The dispute escalated after APC state leaders and governors voiced strong opposition to Wike’s attempt to build a cross-party alliance for 2027 while remaining a registered member of the Peoples Democratic Party. Party executives across several states, including Imo, Ondo, Gombe, Rivers, Kwara, and Plateau, say this dual position creates unnecessary confusion and undermines candidates contesting local and legislative offices under the APC flag.
Speaking on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal stated that the minister cannot support the APC at the top while backing rival candidates elsewhere.
“Our message is very, very clear: Be on one side. You can’t be on two sides… It’s either he’s in APC or he’s out.”
Kwara State APC Chairman Sunday Fagbemi questioned how a split political strategy would work on election day, especially with presidential and parliamentary votes happening simultaneously.
“How do you explain to someone that out of five elections, three will be conducted on the same day? Will you stand by the ballot box and tell a voter to vote for one party for President and another party for Senate?” Fagbemi asked.
Defending his strategy through his media aide, Lere Olayinka, Wike argued that the coalition is focused specifically on President Tinubu’s presidential run and does not stop other parties from contesting other seats. He believes political dynamics remain local and that alliances should be decided at state level.
Wike alleged that some APC governors oppose the coalition because they want to control the emergence of National Assembly leadership after 2027.
Leave a comment