Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has vowed to expose what he described as the “undertones” behind the opposition of some All Progressives Congress governors to his Rainbow Coalition.
Wike, who spoke in Abuja on Monday while inspecting key infrastructure projects in the FCT, said Nigerians would soon understand the real reasons behind the growing controversy over the coalition.
The former Rivers State governor said he would address the issue during a television appearance on TVC between 5pm and 7pm, promising to “let the cat out of the bag” on what he believes is fuelling the opposition to his political initiative.
His declaration came amid growing tension between Wike and some APC governors over the Rainbow Coalition, a political mobilisation involving people across party lines ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The APC governors have expressed concern about political arrangements that could undermine the party’s structure or candidates in the 2027 elections.
Wike, however, insists that his immediate objective is to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election and not to destabilise the APC or position himself for the 2031 presidency.
He said his support for Tinubu had been clear from the beginning and questioned why his political activities were now being portrayed as a threat to the ruling party.
“My concern is how the President will be re-elected for a term. That is my concern. And I’ve made that known from the outset that I was going to support Mr President with all my might and strength.”
Wike added: “It’s very disappointing to hear some people say the Rainbow Coalition will destabilise them. I don’t understand from which angle that will be.”
The minister then raised the stakes, suggesting that the public criticism of the coalition was masking other political interests.
“Just hear me very well today. It’s an opportunity for Nigerians today, and we’ll let Nigerians know what is really behind all these so-called cries about the Rainbow Coalition.”
‘G5 SUPPORTED TINUBU IN 2023’
Wike also invoked the controversial role played by the G5 governors during the 2023 presidential election.
The five governors, led by Wike when he was Rivers State governor, refused to support the presidential candidate of their then party, the Peoples Democratic Party, and instead backed Tinubu of the APC.
Wike questioned why the G5’s mobilisation for Tinubu in 2023 was not considered a threat to the APC, while the Rainbow Coalition is now generating resistance.
He argued that political mobilisation across party lines was not new and did not automatically mean an attempt to weaken the party of the candidate being supported.
According to him, the coalition had not asked APC members to abandon their party or stop supporting APC candidates in other elections.
He said its message was simply for Tinubu’s supporters and “like-minded people” outside the APC to back the President in 2027.
2031 PRESIDENTIAL AMBITION?
Wike also rejected speculation that the Rainbow Coalition was designed to create a political platform for his possible presidential ambition in 2031.
He recalled his participation in the 2022 PDP presidential primary, where he finished second, but said planning for 2031 was premature.
According to him, politicians cannot predict what the political landscape will look like several years ahead and should first be concerned about remaining alive to witness the future.
Wike also acknowledged that Tinubu would naturally have an interest in determining who succeeds him after his tenure.
However, he said that did not mean he would automatically support whoever the President eventually backs.
The FCT minister maintained that his immediate political focus remained the 2027 election and Tinubu’s bid for a second term.
But with the dispute between him and the APC governors continuing to generate political tension, Wike’s promise to reveal the “undertones” behind the controversy has added another layer to the battle over the Rainbow Coalition.
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