Rainbow coalition will boost Tinubu’s re-election, not undermine APC governors – Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says the Rainbow Coalition supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election is meant to boost the President’s chances and not to undermine the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Wike, who coordinates the coalition in Rivers State and the FCT, spoke during a media parley in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said the initiative brings together APC members and non-APC supporters of the President under a common platform.

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“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,” he said.

Wike cited Governors Babagana Zulum of Borno and Ademola Adeleke of Osun as part of the state-level coordination structure.

He stressed that the APC remains the platform on which Tinubu will seek re-election, while supporters outside the party can still contribute to his victory.

“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,” he said.

The minister dismissed fears that the coalition had unsettled APC governors or would trigger defections.

“I don’t know what concerns there are. As far as I am concerned, there is no problem,” he said.

Wike said the FCT example shows how the model works, with stakeholders agreeing to support Tinubu and APC National Assembly candidates while backing candidates of their choice in other contests.

He said political realities differ across states and require flexibility to accommodate local interests while pursuing a national objective.

He added that supporting a presidential candidate from outside one’s party is not new in Nigeria, but the current environment has made such cooperation more visible.

Wike said the coalition’s goal is simple – to secure Tinubu’s re-election – and urged Nigerians to judge the President on performance rather than partisanship.