Wike: Tinubu Aware of My Cross-Party Coalition for 2027

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has said President Bola Tinubu is fully aware of the political activities surrounding his “Rainbow Coalition” ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Wike made the clarification during a television interview on Monday night, September 21, 2026, while defending the coalition against criticism from some governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The minister maintained that the coalition was created to mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election across political parties and was not established as an alternative structure to the APC. He said his support for Tinubu at the presidential level should not automatically translate into support for every APC candidate contesting governorship or legislative elections.

Wike had made a similar clarification on September 15, saying the coalition was a multi-party platform and that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remained free to field candidates in governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections in 2027.

The controversy intensified after the Progressive Governors Forum, led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, warned that APC governors would not support political arrangements capable of creating divided loyalty, weakening the party or affecting its candidates in the 2027 elections.

Wike, however, argued that supporting Tinubu’s presidential bid and supporting APC candidates in other elections were separate issues. He pointed to the 2023 elections, noting that voters in states such as Imo, Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi supported different parties in presidential and legislative contests.