A chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the emerging “Rainbow Coalition” associated with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as an extension of the ruling party to provide an alternative political platform for aggrieved APC members ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The APC leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a growing number of party members dissatisfied with the handling of the party’s primaries and internal affairs were gravitating towards Wike and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to him, the development should not be interpreted as a threat to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, arguing that some APC members who defect to the PDP through Wike’s political structure could still work for the President in 2027.
“Wike has the support of the President on his Rainbow Coalition. It is an alternative platform for aggrieved APC members who may want to join the ADC. So, instead of joining the ADC, they move to the PDP where they will be given a ticket or recognition with assurance from them that they will work for Tinubu.
“Anybody who left the party (APC) for ADC is considered as an enemy, but if you join PDP, which is led by Wike, you are not a threat. PDP or Wike’s Rainbow Coalition is an extension of the APC,” the chieftain said.
He further claimed that Wike had continued to enjoy the backing of several APC leaders because of his political influence and activities, including infrastructure projects in the FCT.
“Wike is taking care of the national leaders of the APC. He is generous and also delivering projects. The President is happy with him. A lot of APC leaders are supporting him, and don’t be surprised if the number of APC governors reduces in 2027. Wike is playing a very good game,” he added.
Another APC official, also speaking anonymously, said some members who felt disadvantaged during the party’s nomination processes had resolved to support Tinubu’s re-election without necessarily backing APC candidates in their respective states.
He said the President’s re-election remained the priority for some of the aggrieved members, while blaming state party leaders for failing to properly manage disputes arising from the primaries.
“The victory of Mr President in the next year’s election is sacrosanct and remains our major concern. Whatever Wike and the APC governors are doing is of lesser concern because, before now, some people who felt cheated by their governors in the party’s primaries have joined Wike.
“Wike is a strong mobiliser for Mr President’s re-election, so how do you think we will work against him on that? The governors should have managed the post-primary crises very well,” he said.
The official added that party members who felt excluded from the nomination process had the right to seek political alliances capable of protecting their interests.
Politics Nigeria reports that the development comes amid growing tensions between the Wike-led political coalition and the APC Governors’ Forum over the former Rivers State governor’s activities ahead of the 2027 elections.
The APC Governors’ Forum, chaired by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, recently rejected political alliances it said could undermine the party, its candidates or Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Speaking after a closed-door meeting in Abuja, Uzodimma said the governors had unanimously resolved not to support any political arrangement capable of weakening the APC or creating divided loyalty among its members.
“The APC governors forum unanimously resolved that its members will not participate in, support, or endorse any alliance or political arrangement capable of undermining the reelection of Mr. President, weakening the APC, or adversely affecting any candidate of the party at all levels,” he said.
The governors’ position followed increased political activities around Wike’s “Rainbow Coalition”, which comprises politicians operating across different political platforms.
Wike has repeatedly declared support for Tinubu’s 2027 presidential bid, while maintaining that such support does not prevent him from backing candidates of his choice for other elective positions.
Meanwhile, findings indicate that aggrieved APC figures in at least 10 states, including Kwara, Gombe, Cross River, Osun, Katsina, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Ogun, Jigawa and Ondo, have either defected to the PDP or aligned with Wike’s political structure.
