*Lifts Lid On Two Other APC Govs Against ‘Pro-Tinubu’ Rainbow Coalition
Literally firing from the hips, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, today (Monday, 21 September) lived up to his vow, earlier today, to expose the All Progressives Congress (APC) allegedly opposed to his Rainbow Coalition, ostensibly designed to help propel his boss, President Bola Tinubu, back to Aso Rock in 2027.
The President is seeking re-election under the umbrella of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) which brought him to power in 2023.
The Rainbow Coalition is a special purpose vehicle crafted by Wike, who belongs to the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), to harness politicians across party lines angered and dissatisfied by their State Governors’ manipulation and handling of party primaries and other political matters ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking while appearing on TVC’s Journalists’ Hangout programme, the Minister took on three APC Governors as allegedly opposed to the ideals of the Coalition.
They are Hope Uzodimma of Imo State; Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun.
Last Monday, Uzodimma, who is Chairman of Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), a body of APC Governors, took aim at the Coalition, saying it is a threat to President Tinubu’s re-election, with the comment sparking controversy and splitting the party into camps in support of and against Wike.
Earlier today, at a project inspection tour in Abuja, the Minister denied the claim, insisting that the Coalition’s objective is to see to Tinubu’s re-election.
At the TVC programme much later, the Minister said he will not support Uzodimma’s ambition to become Nigeria’s next Senate President.
He said: “This man’s office will expire in January 2028. Now, he wants to leave his office to run for Senate. I will never support a character of Hope Uzodimma to be Senate President of Nigeria.”
He also alleged that Uzodimma was trying to influence the emergence of lawmakers who would back his ambition to lead the Senate.
Uzodimma is seeking to return to the Senate and is reportedly interested in becoming Senate President.
However, the Senate changed its Standing Orders in May, introducing new conditions for senators seeking presiding and principal positions.
Under the amended rules, only senators with at least eight years of continuous service in the chamber can contest for Senate President or Deputy Senate President.
The new rules also require nominations for presiding positions to follow the principle of ranking.
The ranking covers former Senate Presidents, former Deputy Senate Presidents, former Principal Officers, senators who have served at least one term, former members of the House of Representatives and first-time senators where no other eligible candidates are available.
Another provision states that a senator must have served two consecutive terms immediately before nomination to qualify for a principal office.
The changes could prevent senators elected for the first time in 2027, who did not serve in both the 9th and 10th Senates, from contesting for key positions such as Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Senate Leader, Chief Whip and Minority Leader.
“The governors having issues with me are Governor Hope Uzodimma, Governor Abdulrazaq and Governor Dapo Abiodun,” Wike added.
Wike maintained that APC Governors had no problem with the Rainbow Coalition, except the listed ones.
According to him, the Governors of Adamawa, Edo, Kogi, Lagos and Akwa Ibom, as well as the Governor of Ondo State, were not opposed to the Coalition.
Tongue-lashing one of the three standing against the Coalition, the Minister asked: “How can a governor leave his state and go to Abuja to complain that Rainbow Coalition is a distraction? Is that a serious governor?
“Adamawa, Edo, Kogi, Lagos and Akwa-Ibom state Governors do not have a problem with the Rainbow Coalition. I saw Ondo Governor there, and I was shocked.”
*PHOTO CAPTION: Wike.
