Again, Wike defends Rainbow Coalition, says Tinubu’s re-election remains his concern

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, reiterated that his top political priority remains securing President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in the 2027 presidential election.

Mr Wike said this on Monday in Abuja, speaking to journalists after inspecting ongoing road projects across the FCT.

The minister, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) serving in the APC-led federal government, also dismissed allegations that the cross-party Rainbow Coalition, of which he is a member, was established to destabilise existing political parties.

The All Progressives Congress governors, under the aegis of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), had opposed the creation of the coalition, describing it as a political arrangement that could undermine the party and its candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Forum, chaired by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, alleged that Mr Wike was using the coalition to support politicians who lost the party’s primaries and are now contesting elections on the PDP platform.

He said the governors would not support any political arrangement that could undermine the party and its candidates in the 2027 elections.

But Mr Wike, while responding to the claim, accused the governors of opposing the coalition because they fear losing their elections. He also criticised their performance in their respective states.

He described the allegations as “baseless”, insisting that the coalition was designed to bring together individuals from different political platforms who support Tinubu’s administration.

Speaking on the matter again on Monday, Mr Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, said his immediate political concern was the 2027 presidential election and the continuation of Tinubu’s administration beyond 2027.

“My primary concern is whether Tinubu will be re-elected for a second term, and I have made it known from the outset that I am going to support Mr President with all my might and strength,” he said.

He said he was not concerned about accusations against the rainbow coalition, but expressed disappointment at claims that the initiative would destabilise political parties.

“I am not bothered about what accusations people make, but it is very disappointing to hear some people say the rainbow coalition will destabilise the party,” Mr Wike said.

According to him, the coalition does not seek to prevent anyone from supporting other political interests, but is encouraging its members and like-minded Nigerians to support Tinubu.

“We have not gone to anyone to say they should not support anyone; rather, we asked all our party members and like-minded people who are not APC members to ensure they support Mr President,” he said.

Mr Wike recalled the role played by the G-5 governors during the 2023 general elections, questioning why similar concerns were not raised at the time about possible disruption of the political structure.

“Looking back at 2023, when it was the G-5, why did nobody complain that it would destabilise the party? Did the president not win? Did it affect the APC-controlled National Assembly?” he asked.

He acknowledged that the G-5 may have provided some political advantage, but said that was not sufficient reason for the current concerns surrounding the rainbow coalition.

“You can argue that it gave them an advantage, but that is not the real cause of the outcry today. There are undertones to this,” Mr Wike said.

The minister further disclosed that he would appear on TVC later on Monday to provide further explanations about the issues surrounding the rainbow coalition.

He said the television appearance would enable Nigerians to understand what he described as the reasons behind the concerns being expressed about the political initiative.

Mr Wike also dismissed speculation that his current political realignment was aimed at positioning himself for the presidency in 2031.

“People are taking the position of God. First of all, you have to pray to be alive—asking God to keep you alive until tomorrow or the next day. Only when God keeps you alive will you know what to do,” he said.

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He recalled that he contested the 2022 PDP presidential primaries and came second, adding that his political experience had exposed him to the complexities of Nigerian politics.

“By 2031, Mr President will not run, and he will have an interest in who will succeed him, and I will not be at loggerheads with his interest,” Mr Wike said, adding that God ultimately determines the future.

On the FCT projects, the minister expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work, saying the projects were expected to be delivered before the January 2027 general elections.

He inspected the ongoing construction of the Inner Southern Expressway from Ring Road I to Ring Road II, the service lanes of the Southern Parkway from Arterial Road S20 in Gaduwa District to Ring Road II, and the road linking Nile University to Ring Road III.

Mr Wike, who commended the contractors for maintaining high standards, assured that Tinubu’s administration would fulfil its promises.