Several state chapters of the All Progressives Congress have rejected the Rainbow Coalition promoted by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, with some party officials urging him to formally join the APC if he intends to support President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election.
The disagreement followed Wike’s plan to support Tinubu for president while allowing members of his coalition to back candidates from other political parties in governorship and legislative elections.
APC officials in states including Imo, Gombe, Ondo, Anambra, Plateau and Nasarawa objected to the arrangement.
The debate intensified after Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal said Wike should choose between joining the APC and remaining outside it, arguing that support for the ruling party should extend beyond its presidential candidate.
However, reactions were not uniform. Jigawa APC welcomed Wike’s support for Tinubu and said he would be welcomed if he decided to join the party, while officials in Osun and Delta said the issue should be determined by the APC national leadership.
Wike has defended the Rainbow Coalition, saying it is specifically designed to support Tinubu’s presidential re-election and does not prevent members of other parties from contesting governorship and legislative seats.