FCT Minister Nyesom Wike says the criticism of his Rainbow Coalition by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is driven by issues beyond concerns that the group could destabilise the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Wike, who leads the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said he would disclose what he described as the “real” reasons for the criticism during a television appearance later on Monday.
He made the comments while responding to journalists during an inspection of ongoing road projects in the Federal Capital Territory.
Wike Dismisses 2031 Presidential Ambition
Wike also rejected suggestions that the Rainbow Coalition was designed to position him for the 2031 presidential election.
He described such speculation as premature, saying political plans for 2030 or 2031 could not be determined without knowing what the future holds.
“First of all, you have to pray that you are alive,” Wike said, arguing that political decisions about a future election would depend on circumstances at the time.
He nevertheless acknowledged that he had previously contested for the PDP presidential ticket, finishing second in the party’s 2022 primary.
“If not for what happened, I would have emerged,” he said, while stressing his experience and knowledge of Nigerian politics.
Wike also questioned how he could be accused of positioning himself politically without being identified with a particular party.
‘The President Must Have Interest in His Successor’
The minister suggested that the succession question within the APC was part of the tension surrounding the coalition.
Wike noted that President Bola Tinubu would not be eligible to contest for another presidential term in 2031 if he serves a second term from 2027 to 2031.
He said the President would therefore naturally have an interest in who succeeds him.
Wike added that he did not see himself as being in conflict with whatever position Tinubu might take on succession.
“People don’t understand. They are just afraid of their shadows, not me,” he said.
Wike: My Priority Is Tinubu’s 2027 Re-election
Responding directly to allegations that the Rainbow Coalition could destabilise the APC, Wike said his immediate political priority remained securing Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
He said he had made his support for the President clear from the beginning and would continue to back him.
“My concern is how the President will be re-elected for a second term. That is my concern,” Wike said.
He also rejected the suggestion that the coalition was directing people to withdraw support from particular candidates.
According to Wike, the group’s position was to encourage its members and like-minded politicians who were not members of the APC to support Tinubu.
‘We Did the Same in 2023’
Wike compared the Rainbow Coalition with the G5 governors’ bloc that emerged during the 2023 election cycle.
He questioned why the G5 arrangement had not attracted similar claims that it would destabilise the APC.
“Did the President not win? Did it affect the APC controlling the National Assembly?” he asked.
Wike maintained that the coalition could instead provide an electoral advantage to Tinubu, while insisting that the current criticism was not fundamentally about the APC’s stability.
He repeatedly referred to what he called “undertones” behind the opposition to the Rainbow Coalition but declined to disclose details ahead of his television appearance.
“You will hear the full details today,” he said, urging Nigerians to watch the programme.
Road Projects Target January 2027 Completion
The political comments came after Wike inspected several ongoing road projects in the FCT.
He expressed satisfaction with progress on projects including the ISEX 2 and Southern Parkway roads, as well as the road linking Nile University to Ring Road 3.
According to the minister, contractors working on the projects have committed to completing them by January 10, 2027.
The projects form part of the FCT administration’s ongoing infrastructure programme ahead of the 2027 general elections….Read More