Political tensions are rising in several states following concerns within the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the Rainbow Coalition being championed by Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Vanguard reports that political developments linked to the coalition have generated concerns in Rivers, Kwara, Gombe and Cross River, where different political alignments involving members of various parties are taking shape.
The coalition, which Wike says is working to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid, involves politicians drawn from different political parties.
However, some APC figures have questioned how the arrangement would operate at the state and legislative levels, particularly where coalition members are contesting elections on different party platforms.
According to the report, sources close to APC governors expressed concern that the arrangement could create uncertainty among voters, especially in states where candidates supported by the coalition are running against APC candidates.
Wike, however, has maintained that his political activities are aimed at supporting Tinubu and has rejected suggestions that the coalition is designed to undermine the APC or the president’s re-election effort.
The minister has also clashed publicly with some APC governors over the coalition, including Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
In Rivers State, the coalition has generated particular political interest because of the competing alliances ahead of the 2027 governorship election. Vanguard reports that the coalition comprises political interests from the PDP, APC and Labour Party, among others.
The report also states that the coalition has backed House of Representatives Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda in Rivers State, with Major Jack selected as his running mate. The arrangement has nevertheless generated questions among some political actors over the choice of candidates and the different party platforms involved.
In Gombe State, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, has moved to the PDP with the backing of political interests associated with the coalition. The development has added another layer to the political realignment taking place ahead of 2027.
Kwara State has similarly witnessed political movement involving former Senate President Bukola Saraki, Wike and former APC members who have moved into the PDP.
Cross River has also recorded an emerging alliance involving PDP, Labour Party and ADC elements, with the coalition reportedly seeking to challenge the existing political structure in the state.
Wike has remained defiant in defending the arrangement, insisting that his focus is on supporting Tinubu while allowing politicians within the coalition to pursue their individual political interests.
The controversy highlights the complexity of Nigeria’s political alignments ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly where politicians are supporting the same presidential candidate while backing different candidates for state and legislative positions.
As parties prepare for the elections, disagreements over candidate selection, political alliances and campaign structures are expected to continue across the states.
The competing positions also demonstrate that support for a presidential candidate does not necessarily translate into identical alliances at the state and legislative levels.
