Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has reiterated that the Rainbow Coalition he helped form will back President Bola Tinubu’s re‑election campaign in 2027, describing the grouping as a multi‑party vehicle for mobilizing cross‑party support rather than a rival to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant Public Communication and Social Media Lere Olayinka, Minister Wike said the coalition’s endorsement of President Tinubu is deliberate and exclusive to Tinubu.
“The coalition is a platform for other political parties that are pleased with the good works of Tinubu and are supporting his re‑election. It has nothing to do with APC,” he said.
The statement comes after Governors elected on the APC platform warned against the creation of parallel structures that could undermine Tinubu’s re‑election.
The Governors’ concerns were voiced Monday during a closed‑door meeting in Abuja convened by the Progressive Governors Forum and chaired by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma.
Minister Wike sought to draw a distinction between the coalition’s national focus and local political contests.
He said the Rainbow Coalition was not formed to advance state‑level candidacies and urged party leaders to resolve local disputes independently rather than exploiting the president’s re‑election bid for political leverage.
He also said he had not consulted with APC Governors before supporting President Tinubu during the 2023 campaign, and stressed that his 2027 efforts will be concentrated solely on the presidency.
“Politics is local,” he said, adding that supporters should prioritize the presidential contest and, once Mr. Tinubu is re‑elected, return attention to state races.
Wike dismissed suggestions that his alliance would prevent the People’s Democratic Party or other parties from fielding candidates in gubernatorial or legislative contests, noting voters in some states split their ballots in 2023 and could do likewise in 2027 if the presidential campaign lacks unified backing.
