Eniola Yekini
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has defended the emerging political coalition supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, stressing that it is designed to strengthen the president’s electoral chances rather than undermine the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Wike, who spoke during a media parley in Abuja on Tuesday, said the Rainbow Coalition would not create divisions within the ruling party, arguing that the president’s re-election should attract support beyond APC membership.
The minister, who coordinates the coalition’s activities in Rivers State and the FCT, explained that the initiative accommodates both APC members and supporters of Tinubu from other political parties.
According to him, the arrangement recognises political realities in different states while providing a common platform for those who believe the president deserves another term.
“If you see that word, PBT/APC, it means those who are supporting the president who are not members of the party, together with the party, are working together to achieve that purpose,” Wike said.
He cited Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum and Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke as examples of political figures associated with the coalition’s state-level coordination, alongside himself.
Wike argued that the initiative was not intended to displace the APC but to mobilise support for Tinubu across political affiliations, noting that the APC remains the platform through which the president would seek re-election.
“The major thing is Mr President. Whatever we are going to do, whoever has any idea or anything to contribute is to the success of Mr President. That is the whole thing,” he said.
The minister also dismissed suggestions that the coalition had unsettled APC governors or could encourage defections.
“I don’t know what concerns there are. As far as I am concerned, there is no problem,” he added.
Using the FCT as an example, Wike recalled his appeal to political stakeholders to support Tinubu and APC candidates for the National Assembly while allowing supporters of other parties to back candidates of their choice at other levels.
He said political peculiarities differ from state to state, making it necessary to accommodate local interests while pursuing a common national objective, adding that the coalition reflects an effort to move beyond traditional party boundaries.
Wike rejected suggestions that the arrangement represents an entirely new development, saying political figures had previously supported presidential candidates outside their parties while maintaining separate interests at state level, but noted the current environment has made such cooperation more visible.
He urged Nigerians to assess the president’s performance on its merits rather than allow partisan considerations to determine their judgement.