Wike coalition creates tensions within Nigeria’s APC
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Leadership
The Rainbow Coalition linked to Minister Nyesom Wike is causing political realignments within the APC in Imo, Kwara and Gombe states ahead of the 2027 general elections. The moves could encourage alliances between rival camps while supporting Bola Tinubu’s re-election, according to Leadership.
The Rainbow Coalition associated with Nyesom Wike, Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, is creating tensions within the All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly in Imo, Kwara and Gombe states, ahead of the 2027 general elections, Leadership reports.
Wike’s political mobilisation group comes as some disgruntled APC members could move closer to opposition parties while supporting President Bola Tinubu. Wike says his mobilisation aims to secure a second term for Tinubu, while maintaining that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will field its own candidates in governorship, federal parliamentary and state assembly elections, according to Leadership.
Chris John Alofu, executive director of civil society organisation The News Direction, believes the Rainbow Coalition is instead targeting the 2031 deadline and could weaken Tinubu’s prospects in 2027. The national vice-president of the Nigerian Political Science Association, Murtala Muhammad, also raised the risk of political realignments in states marked by disagreements over governance, zoning, appointments and candidate selection, according to Leadership.
