A major political battle has erupted within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) political network as multiple state chapters and governors have openly rejected the “Rainbow Coalition” being spearheaded by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The rift—which centers on control of political structures ahead of the 2027 general elections—has sparked an ultimatum from APC heavyweights asking the former Rivers State governor to formally defect to the ruling party or step away from its internal affairs entirely.
Wike, a lifelong member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was appointed FCT minister by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following the 2023 elections. While Wike maintains that his cross-party platform is designed solely to secure Tinubu’s re-election, APC leaders argue that his strategy—supporting Tinubu at the top of the ballot while backing non-APC candidates for governorship and legislative seats—threatens to destroy the ruling party from within.
Zamfara Governor Fires Shot: “It’s Either He’s in APC or He’s Out”
The latest battle was ignited by Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, who delivered a sharp rebuke to the FCT minister during an interview on Channels Television’s Inside Sources on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Reflecting the collective stance of the Progressive Governors Forum, Lawal insisted that political fence-sitting would no longer be tolerated.
Speaking on the governors’ position, Dauda Lawal stated:
“Our message is very, very clear: Be on one side. You can’t be on two sides. If you’re in APC, please come out and support APC. Not you’re supporting APC here, and you’re supporting other political parties somewhere else. It doesn’t make sense. It’s not done anywhere.”
He further pledged to confront President Tinubu directly upon his return from working leave:
“It’s something that I will take up with the President when he comes back. So, let there be a very, very clear line where this guy belongs to. It’s either he’s in APC or he’s out. It’s simple. And I go with my brothers, the governors.”
Nationwide Resistance: State-by-State Reaction
The ultimatum delivered by the governors has drawn overwhelming backing from state party executives across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, exposing severe resistance to Wike’s arrangement.
Imo State: “Decency Demands Total Alignment”
In Imo State, APC Publicity Secretary Jones Onwuasoanya described the Rainbow Coalition as completely irrelevant, calling for an end to political ambiguous loyalty.
“Decency demands that an individual who claims so much allegiance to the philosophies and programmes of a political party should fully align with that political party, rather than playing hide and seek with his loyalty. If Wike is sincere about his support for President Tinubu, then he should join the APC and begin to campaign for our party across all positions rather than being selective.”
Ondo State: “Our Mandate is Total, Not Selective”
Rejecting any plan that split votes on election day, Ondo State APC Secretary Alex Kalejaiye insisted that the party’s 2027 strategy requires sweeping every available seat.
“We are disturbed that the coalition would only support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the general elections, but field candidates for other positions. Support for the candidates of the ruling party must be total; our party is committed to mobilising votes for the President, three senatorial, nine representatives, and 26 House of Assembly candidates. That is not negotiable.”
Kwara State: “A Grand Deception”
Kwara State APC Chairman Sunday Fagbemi questioned the logic behind asking voters to split ballots on election day, calling the Rainbow Coalition a recipe for confusion.
“What is the level of enlightenment of Nigerian voters? How do you explain to someone that out of five elections, three are conducted on the same day? Will you stand by the ballot box and tell a voter to vote for one party for President and another party for Senate? As APC members, everyone should vote for the party and its candidates—five out of five.”
Rivers State: “You Cannot Rebuild PDP on APC’s Back”
In Wike’s home state of Rivers, the factional APC Publicity Secretary Darlington Nwauju aligned squarely with the governors, accusing Wike of attempting to salvage the opposition at the APC’s expense.
“You cannot confuse the electorate by thinking that you can order them into voting for candidate A in party A and candidate B in party B on the same election day. Join the APC or leave her alone. You cannot use your association with the APC to rebuild the PDP.”
Anambra & Plateau: “An Affront to the Party”
Anambra State APC Chairman Senator Emmanuel Anosike branded Wike’s maneuvers as an interference in internal governance, stating that APC Governors Forum Chairman Hope Uzodimma already possesses the organizational capacity to deliver 2027.
Similarly, Plateau State APC Chairman Rufus Bature confirmed that the coalition was officially condemned at a recent party retreat in Maiduguri, adding: “We won’t allow him to be APC in the morning and PDP in the night.”
Exceptions to the Stand: Jigawa and Benue
Despite widespread rejection, a few chapters expressed willingness to accommodate Wike’s support:
- Jigawa State: APC Publicity Secretary Bashir Kundu welcomed Wike’s backing, noting that the APC itself was born out of a historic coalition and would gladly welcome his official defection.
- Benue State: The chapter remains divided. While factional leader James Orgunga appreciated Wike’s presidential support, Daniel Ihomun (loyal to SGF George Akume) argued Wike should remain in the PDP, stating: “He should remain where he is because he has helped us destroy the PDP.”
Wike Fires Back: “Politics is Local”
Unshaken by the pushback from APC executives, Wike has persistently defended his strategy. Through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications, Lere Olayinka, the FCT minister argued that the Rainbow Coalition mirrors the exact model deployed by the G5 governors in 2023, which successfully delivered Tinubu’s victory without forcing members to surrender their party identity.
Wike maintained that his primary objective remains President Tinubu’s re-election, dismissing accusations that he is attempting to destabilize the ruling party or concede governorship seats to opposition candidates.
However, with APC governors digging in and planning a direct intervention with President Tinubu, the battle over who controls the political machinery for 2027 is set to escalate sharply in the coming weeks.
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