Ebenezer Adurokiya, Reporting
THE Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Esq., has accused some governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of resisting the proposed Rainbow Coalition because of their alleged plans to influence the emergence of the next leadership of the National Assembly after the 2027 general elections.
Wike made the allegation on Monday during an appearance on TVC’s Journalists Hangout programme in Abuja, monitored by Stonix News as the disagreement between him and some APC governors over the coalition continues to deepen ahead of the 2027 polls.
The FCT minister specifically named the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, alongside Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, as some of the APC governors opposed to his political initiative.
The tension followed a recent position by APC governors that they would not support any political arrangement capable of weakening the party or affecting the chances of its candidates in the 2027 elections.
However, Wike insisted that his backing for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid was independent of contests for governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and state assembly seats.
He recalled that in 2023, members of the G5 governors supported Tinubu’s presidential ambition while allowing candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to participate in other elections.
According to him, the same political arrangement could happen in 2027.
“In 2023, core leadership G5, we said we were going to support Mr President. But we never said all our candidates in other elections would fail. We never said so,” Wike stated.
He added: “Particularly in Rivers State, we supported Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; he won the presidential election. But in National Assembly elections and state elections, PDP won.”
Wike expressed surprise at claims that the Rainbow Coalition would create confusion among voters, arguing that Nigerians had repeatedly shown their ability to vote differently at various levels of elections.
He said a PDP member could support Tinubu for president while still contesting for legislative positions under the platform of the opposition party.
“Who will be more confused? Is it not my own candidates that will even be more confused when I have told them to support Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and then again, they now go back to support other candidates?” he queried.
The FCT minister alleged that some APC governors were opposing the Rainbow Coalition because of personal political calculations, especially regarding who would emerge as Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives after 2027.
He claimed some governors wanted to influence the selection of lawmakers who would later support their preferred candidates for the top National Assembly positions.
“APC, in their ongoing party primaries, the governors, in their own wisdom, believe that they should be able now to put senators or House of Representatives members who they will dictate to who will become the next Senate President or Speaker,” he alleged.
Wike accused Uzodimma of allegedly positioning himself for the Senate presidency after completing his tenure as governor.
He claimed the major concern among some politicians was that individuals denied APC tickets could move to other platforms, including the PDP, win elections and refuse to support candidates favoured by governors for National Assembly leadership.
“The fear now is that, if they run and they win, it means that they are not going to support him to be the Senate President,” Wike said.
The minister stressed that his opposition to Uzodimma’s reported Senate ambition was not personal but based on political considerations.
“I will never support a character of Hope Uzodimma to be Senate President of Nigeria. Everybody knows that,” he declared.
Wike maintained that the Rainbow Coalition was neither an APC structure nor a move designed to weaken the ruling party.
He argued that politicians should be allowed to support Tinubu’s presidential bid while contesting legislative and state positions through their respective political parties.
“Where do you see that happen? Then, they will call me to tell me that we produce candidates of their party. Come on! Who does that?” he asked.
The FCT minister also dismissed reports that President Tinubu had agreed to hand over nine states to him or the Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reacting to the allegation, Wike challenged those making the claim to reveal the states involved.
“The nine states, did they tell you the nine states?” he asked.
He urged Nigerians to demand evidence rather than rely on political speculations.
“Let us help Nigerians. Let’s get the facts. Who are… which are those states? Tell us that they said the President agreed with me that he’s conceding nine states,” Wike stated.
He said his current political engagement was focused on supporting Tinubu’s re-election and promoting the achievements and policies of the administration.
Wike said his role in the emerging political arrangement was to mobilise support for President Tinubu across political divides by highlighting the administration’s performance.
“Mr President is showing his postcard. We are selling Mr President what he’s been doing, why he should be re-elected,” he said.
He cited the Federal Government’s commitment to establishing state police as one of the key issues he would use in campaigning for Tinubu’s return.
According to him, Tinubu’s support for state police represents a major step towards addressing long-standing concerns over Nigeria’s security structure.
The minister’s comments came amid rising disagreements between him and APC governors over the Rainbow Coalition.
The Progressive Governors’ Forum had recently declared that its members would support Tinubu and APC candidates, warning against alliances that could undermine the party or its electoral prospects.
Wike, however, maintained that his loyalty was centred on ensuring Tinubu’s re-election and that he never agreed that the PDP should abandon its candidates in governorship and legislative contests.
