The Rainbow Coalition, a political movement championed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has continued to generate controversy across several states following its growing involvement in preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The coalition, which seeks to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election while accommodating politicians pursuing elective positions on other party platforms, has altered political calculations in states including Nasarawa and Ondo.
The development has also heightened tensions between Wike and some governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who have expressed concerns that the arrangement could undermine the ruling party and its candidates.
Before the inauguration of the presidential campaign council in Abuja, APC governors, led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, rejected political arrangements they believed could weaken the party or negatively affect its candidates in the 2027 elections.
However, the recognition of Wike’s coalition within the broader political mobilisation for Tinubu’s re-election has strengthened its profile and intensified debates about its potential impact on state-level elections.
Coalition Creates Political Tensions in Nasarawa
In Nasarawa State, the coalition has generated fresh political calculations, particularly within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following developments involving party members and their electoral ambitions.
Nasarawa South Senatorial District aspirant Omeri is contesting for the seat on the PDP platform against the APC candidate, Abubakar Hassan Nalaraba.
During the 2023 general elections, both the APC and PDP lost the presidential vote in Nasarawa State to Peter Obi, who contested under the Labour Party.
The state PDP’s position on the presidential election has also attracted attention after Ombugadu indicated that the party would support a presidential candidate in line with Wike’s directive.
The development has generated reactions among political stakeholders and observers as parties prepare for the 2027 elections.
Rainbow Coalition Raises Concerns for APC Candidates in Ondo
In Ondo State, the emergence of politicians associated with the Rainbow Coalition has raised questions about the APC’s ability to maintain control over its political structures ahead of the next general elections.
Among those at the centre of the development are Matthew Oyerinmade, popularly known as MATO, the PDP candidate for Ondo South Senatorial District, and Idowu Mafimisebi, a former APC chieftain contesting the Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency seat on the PDP platform.
Both politicians became associated with the coalition after failing to secure APC tickets for the 2027 elections.
Oyerinmade said his support for Tinubu predated his departure from the APC, adding that Wike’s political vision aligned with his own.
He explained that supporting the President would not prevent him from pursuing his senatorial ambition, noting that the coalition intended to win legislative seats while mobilising votes for Tinubu.
Similarly, an aide to Mafimisebi, Kayode Bidemi, said the campaign was relying on grassroots support rather than party affiliation alone.
Bidemi explained that the decision to contest outside the APC followed the failure to secure the party’s ticket, expressing confidence that voters would make their choices based on their preferred candidates.
Political Analysts Warn of Possible Impact on APC
Political analyst Lasisi Iwu of the Department of Political Science at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, said the development could pose challenges for APC candidates in Ondo State.
According to him, influential political stakeholders sympathetic to candidates associated with the Rainbow Coalition could withhold support from APC candidates, withdraw from their campaigns or redirect their political influence towards their preferred candidates.
Such a development could affect the ruling party’s electoral calculations, particularly in constituencies where influential politicians command considerable grassroots support.
The growing association between the coalition and politicians contesting on opposition platforms has therefore raised concerns about the potential consequences for the APC’s performance in legislative elections.
As political activities gather momentum ahead of 2027, the Rainbow Coalition’s expansion continues to test existing party loyalties and reshape alliances across several states.
The unfolding developments are expected to remain a major feature of political discussions as parties and their candidates intensify preparations for the forthcoming elections.
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