2027: Wike Reacts Strongly As APC Governors Distance Themselves From His Rainbow Coalition

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reaffirmed his commitment to the reelection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, clarifying that he never claimed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would refrain from contesting governorship, National Assembly, or State Assembly seats in 2027.

Wike emphasized that his proposed “Rainbow Coalition” operates independently of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He explained that the movement serves as an cross-party platform for individuals and groups impressed by the President’s performance who wish to back his second-term bid.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the FCT Minister stated that he is not responsible for helping state governors secure electoral victories.

He stressed that politics is local and those having problems in their States should resolve them instead of using the reelection of the President to whip up sentiments.

Wike noted that neither he nor his colleagues in the G5 group consulted the APC before backing President Tinubu in the 2023 general election, adding that his allegiance for 2027 remains strictly dedicated to the President.

Taking a direct swipe at Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, Wike declared that modern politics is no longer about coming from fourth position to be governor, but relies on real grassroots mobilization and winning genuinely at the polling units.

In Imo State under Governor Hope Uzodinma, how did APC win two senate seats in 2023, in an election held the same day with that of the President and APC had less than 15 percent in the presidential election? Was it rainbow coalition? Were the voters confused?

Was it rainbow coalition that also made APC to win National Assembly elections in Ebonyi, Abia and Enugu States where the President did not have ten percent of the votes? If in 2023, the voters in Imo, Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi voted APC in the Senatorial election and voted another party in the presidential election, they won’t be confused in 2027 provided we all support the president genuinely this time?

The Minister urged political actors to prioritize the main contest, advising that after the President must have been reelected, we can all go and face elections in our States.

What I said and stand for is that I will mobilise support for the reelection of the President. I never promised anyone that PDP will not field candidates to contest governorship, National Assembly and States House of Assembly elections.

Most importantly, rainbow coalition has nothing to do with the APC. Rather, it is own way of mobilising support accross political parties for Mr President, who has done well to deserve a second term, he concluded.