The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, says the Rainbow Coalition will not weaken the All Progressives Congress (APC). He says its only goal is to help President Bola Tinubu win re-election in 2027.
One Goal: Tinubu’s Re-election
Wike spoke to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday. He said the coalition has one purpose. It is to win more votes for the President.
According to him, the APC remains the platform for Tinubu’s campaign. Supporters from other parties are not replacing the party. They are simply adding their weight to the same effort.
What “PBT/APC” Means
Wike also explained the name used for the campaign. He said it joins two groups. One is the APC members. The other is the President’s supporters who belong to other parties. Both are now working together.
He named Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum and Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke as examples. Both are linked to the coalition’s state-level coordination. Wike said he is part of it too.
No Cause for Alarm, He Says
Some people fear that the coalition has unsettled APC governors. Others think it could trigger defections. Wike brushed this aside. He said he does not know what the concerns are and sees no problem.
He also asked Nigerians to be fair. In his view, they should judge Tinubu by his record. Party loyalties, he said, should not decide the matter.
How It Worked in the FCT
Wike used the FCT as an example. There, he asked political stakeholders to back Tinubu and APC candidates for the National Assembly. Supporters of other parties could still vote for their own candidates at other levels.
He explained that politics differs from state to state. For that reason, local interests must be respected. At the same time, leaders must keep a shared national aim. Leadership, he added, means persuading people from different backgrounds to pursue one goal.
Not a New Idea
Wike also rejected the claim that this arrangement is new. He said politicians have long backed presidential candidates from other parties. Often, they kept separate interests in their own states.
The difference now, he said, is visibility. Today’s political climate has made such cooperation more open and more formal.
