Tinubu Understands My Rainbow Coalition — Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said President Bola Tinubu is fully aware of the activities of his Rainbow Coalition, dismissing concerns that the initiative could undermine the President’s re-election bid in 2027.

Wike made the remarks on Monday during an appearance on TVC’s Journalists’ Hangout, where he addressed growing criticism of the coalition, particularly from some All Progressives Congress (APC) governors.

The FCT minister alleged that the opposition to the coalition was linked to political interests ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly what he described as Governor Hope Uzodinma’s ambition to become Senate President after leaving office as Imo State governor.

According to Wike, the Rainbow Coalition is primarily focused on mobilising support for Tinubu’s re-election while allowing politicians to pursue their individual ambitions and contest elections under their respective political parties.

He questioned why supporting Tinubu at the presidential level should prevent members of the coalition from contesting for the National Assembly, state assemblies or governorship positions.

Wike also rejected claims that the coalition was designed to destabilise the APC, arguing that it was not an APC structure and had never directed politicians to abandon their parties or withdraw support for their candidates.

The minister further dismissed reports that Tinubu had agreed to concede nine states to him or members of the coalition, challenging those making the allegation to identify the states involved.

“Which are those nine states? State A, state B, state C?” Wike asked, insisting that Nigerians deserved facts rather than speculation.

On the 2027 political contest, Wike said his immediate concern remained securing Tinubu’s re-election, adding that the President was aware of his political activities.

He also defended Tinubu’s position on issues such as state police and the devolution of powers to sub-national governments, describing the President as willing to take positions that previous administrations had avoided.

Wike further dismissed speculation that his Rainbow Coalition was an attempt to position himself for the 2031 presidential election.

He argued that Tinubu would not be seeking re-election in 2031 and would therefore have an interest in who succeeds him, adding that his own political interests would not necessarily conflict with those of the President.

The FCT minister also alleged that some APC governors were opposed to the coalition because they wanted greater influence over the emergence of the next leadership of the National Assembly.

According to him, some governors wanted to influence the choice of senators and members of the House of Representatives in order to secure support for their preferred candidates for Senate President and Speaker.

Wike specifically named Uzodinma, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun as governors with whom he said he had political disagreements over the coalition. (Legit.ng – Nigeria news.)

He also took a swipe at AbdulRazaq, accusing the Kwara governor of running what he described as a propaganda campaign against him.

Wike said political actors who had disagreements with other politicians should address those disputes directly rather than seeking to involve him.

The dispute over the Rainbow Coalition comes as political realignments intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections. While Wike has maintained that the coalition is aimed at supporting Tinubu across party lines, APC governors have expressed concerns about political arrangements that could affect the party and its candidates.