The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has intensified his disagreement with some All Progressives Congress governors over his proposed Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on TVC’s Journalists’ Hangout on Monday, Wike dismissed concerns that the coalition could weaken the APC, saying its primary objective was to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election while allowing political parties to field their own candidates in governorship and legislative contests.
The minister alleged that some APC governors were opposing the coalition because of political calculations over the emergence of the next leaders of the National Assembly.
Wike specifically mentioned Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma, alleging that he was positioning himself to become Senate President after leaving office.
Uzodimma has not publicly confirmed such an ambition. His tenure as Imo governor is due to end in January 2028.
Wike said he would not support Uzodimma for the position, declaring that he would continue to oppose the governor’s reported ambition.
The comments came days after APC governors said they would not support any political alliance or arrangement capable of weakening the party or affecting its candidates in the 2027 elections. The governors said their campaign structure would remain focused on APC candidates at all levels.
Wike, however, argued that supporting Tinubu for president did not mean abandoning candidates of other political parties in governorship and legislative elections.
He cited the experience of the G5 governors during the 2023 elections, when members supported Tinubu’s presidential bid while their respective parties retained candidates for other positions.
According to Wike, a similar arrangement could operate in 2027, allowing politicians to support Tinubu for president while backing candidates of their choice for governorship and legislative seats.
He also rejected reports that Tinubu had agreed to concede nine states to the PDP or the Rainbow Coalition as part of a political arrangement, challenging those making the claim to identify the states involved.
Wike said his main political objective was to secure Tinubu’s re-election and that he would campaign on what he described as the administration’s achievements.
The FCT minister also said Tinubu was aware of the Rainbow Coalition and understood his political activities.
The disagreement between Wike and some APC governors has added another layer to the political alignments emerging ahead of the 2027 elections. The APC Governors Forum has maintained that its position is intended to protect the party, its candidates and Tinubu’s re-election, while Wike insists that the coalition can support the President without determining which parties should field candidates in other elections.
