Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that the Rainbow Coalition will remain active ahead of the 2027 general elections, dismissing criticism from some All Progressives Congress (APC) governors over the political alliance.
Wike made the declaration on Tuesday during a media chat with selected journalists in Abuja, where he defended his decision to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election while retaining his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The former Rivers State governor said his political commitment was specifically directed at helping Tinubu secure a second term in office and should not be interpreted as a promise to support every APC governor seeking re-election.
Wike maintained that his support for the President did not require him to abandon the PDP or surrender his political independence to the ruling party. He argued that politicians could cooperate on the presidential election while maintaining separate positions on governorship and other electoral contests.
Addressing those opposed to the coalition, the minister challenged his critics to confront him directly rather than use the Rainbow Coalition as a basis for attacking his political activities. He insisted that the alliance was established to achieve a specific objective and would not be abandoned because of pressure from political opponents.
The disagreement has exposed growing differences between Wike and some APC governors, who have questioned how a serving minister in an APC-led administration can remain a PDP member while coordinating support for Tinubu’s re-election.
Some of the governors have argued that Wike should formally join the APC if he intends to support its candidates. Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, among those who have criticised the arrangement, has maintained that political actors should clearly identify with one party rather than support competing platforms.
Wike, however, has rejected the suggestion that his continued PDP membership makes his support for Tinubu inconsistent. He cited his backing of certain APC candidates, including Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, as an example of his willingness to cooperate across party lines.
The Rainbow Coalition is a cross-party political platform designed to bring together politicians and supporters from different political backgrounds to strengthen Tinubu’s chances in the 2027 presidential election. The initiative has attracted attention because of Wike’s political influence and his continued involvement in the PDP despite his role in the federal government.
The minister has also been involved in efforts to coordinate political mobilisation in Rivers State and the FCT. At a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja on Monday, he said he would coordinate Tinubu’s campaign in both areas, with political figures from the APC and PDP agreeing to work together towards the President’s re-election.
The arrangement has also raised questions about how the coalition will operate alongside the APC’s official campaign structure and the interests of governors seeking to retain their positions. While Wike maintains that the coalition is focused on the presidency, its wider political implications remain a subject of debate.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the dispute highlights the growing importance of alliances that cut across party boundaries. Whether the Rainbow Coalition can sustain its momentum and translate its political reach into electoral support will become clearer as campaigns intensify.
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