Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has urged FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to resolve his political position regarding the Rainbow Coalition, warning that simultaneous support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other parties could jeopardize President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign. Speaking during an interview at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, Lawal, a senior APC figure, stated, 'Our message is very clear: you can’t be on two sides. If you are in APC, please come out and support the APC.' The Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), the APC governors’ umbrella body, has previously criticized the cross-party coalition, arguing it could dilute the party’s electoral strategy. Lawal reiterated the PGF’s stance, asserting, 'We maintain our stand and the message is very clear. He can speak, he can say whatever he wants to say, but our position has been very clear, APC all the way from head to toe.'
Wike, a PDP member linked to the Rainbow Coalition—a platform backing Tinubu’s re-election—has denied allegations that the alliance destabilizes political parties. During a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, the FCT Minister reaffirmed his commitment to Tinubu’s 2027 bid, stating, 'Securing victory for the President remains my major political priority.' However, Lawal accused Wike of inconsistency, noting that the minister has supported PDP candidates in states like Imo and Kwara ahead of the 2027 elections. 'It’s exactly what we’re asking: join the APC or step aside,' Lawal said, adding he plans to discuss the matter with Tinubu upon the president’s return from France. The clash underscores tensions within Nigeria’s political landscape as APC governors seek to consolidate support for Tinubu’s re-election.
The Rainbow Coalition’s role has drawn scrutiny, with APC leaders fearing it could fragment the party’s base. Lawal’s remarks reflect broader concerns among APC governors that cross-party alliances might weaken their collective electoral strategy. Wike, however, has maintained that the coalition is not a threat to existing parties, stating, 'We are not here to destabilize, but to mobilize support for Tinubu.’ Despite this, the PGF’s rejection of the coalition highlights deepening divisions within Nigeria’s political ecosystem. As the 2027 election cycle intensifies, the conflict between Wike and APC leaders could shape the trajectory of key state and federal alliances.
The dispute underscores the high stakes of Nigeria’s upcoming elections, with political loyalty increasingly viewed as a strategic imperative. Lawal’s insistence on clarity for Wike aligns with APC governors’ broader effort to present a unified front ahead of the 2027 contest. Meanwhile, Wike’s dual affiliations highlight the complexities of Nigeria’s multi-party system, where regional and ideological alignments often intersect. As the battle for political alignment intensifies, the outcome could influence not only Tinubu’s re-election prospects but also the future of coalition-building in Nigerian politics.