The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has questioned the position of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) on the Rainbow Coalition and its concerns about the coalition’s activities in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The controversy followed comments by Imo State Governor and Chairman of the PGF, Hope Uzodimma, that APC governors had agreed to support only candidates sponsored by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Uzodimma had also stated that the governors would not participate in or endorse political arrangements capable of creating divided loyalty or undermining APC candidates during the 2027 elections.
The APC governors’ position was understood as a response to the Rainbow Coalition, which Wike has described as a broader political platform involving individuals and groups across different political parties supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.
Reacting during an interview with Arise Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Wike challenged the rationale behind the APC governors’ position, pointing to opposition governors who have expressed support for Tinubu while remaining affiliated with their respective parties.
Wike specifically referenced Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and Abia State Governor Alex Otti.
He questioned whether their support for Tinubu meant they would abandon candidates from their respective parties in National Assembly elections.
The FCT Minister argued that political support for a presidential candidate does not necessarily prevent a politician from supporting candidates of another party in other elections.
He said, “Now what is the crisis of sponsoring candidates, Soludo is supporting President Tinubu, does it mean he won’t support APGA candidates for the National Assembly elections? Governor Adeleke is supporting the president. Does it mean he won’t support Accord National Assembly candidates.
“Alex Otti is supporting President Tinubu from what he said. Does it mean the Labour Party won’t have National Assembly candidates. You can see the whole thing they’re talking about has no basis.”