Wike Must Explain Rainbow Coalition To APC Governors – Igbokwe

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Joe Igbokwe, has urged Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to meet with APC governors and explain the purpose of his proposed Rainbow Coalition.

Igbokwe made the call while speaking on TVC News, amid growing disagreement between Wike and APC governors over the political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The APC Governors’ Forum, led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, recently rejected any alliance or political arrangement that could weaken the party or undermine its candidates.

Wike has maintained that the Rainbow Coalition is separate from the APC and is focused on mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, while allowing political parties to field candidates for governorship and legislative elections.

But Igbokwe said Wike, as an APC administration appointee, should clarify his position to key stakeholders within the ruling party.

“Some of us started from AC and to get to where we are today, consistency is what has been driving us for years,” Igbokwe said.

“I don’t understand it though. He has to be APC and nothing more. Let nobody bring confusion into this.”

Igbokwe said Wike should “put all the cards on the table” and engage with the governors rather than allow uncertainty over the coalition to persist.

“He has to listen to the majority. Sit down with the governors and explain,” he said.

The APC chieftain acknowledged Wike’s political importance but questioned the timing of the Rainbow Coalition, particularly with the 2027 elections approaching.

“Why now?” Igbokwe asked, while stressing that the development should be handled in the interest of the APC.

Wike, however, has said he never approached the APC Governors’ Forum to seek an alliance and does not consider himself answerable to the governors over the coalition.

He has also maintained that his support for Tinubu does not prevent the PDP from fielding candidates in other elections.

The disagreement has opened a wider debate within the ruling party over whether support for Tinubu at the presidential level can coexist with support for candidates from other parties in governorship and legislative contests.