Wike Lied, No ‘Rainbow Coalition’ Backing Tinubu’s 2027 Re-Election, Says IPAC

The Inter-Party Advisory Council has faulted claims by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that political parties across the country are rallying under his leadership in a “rainbow coalition” to back President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

IPAC’s National Publicity Secretary, Egbeola Martins, stated this in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday.

The rebuttal followed Wike’s call for other states to emulate Rivers State’s ability to build a broad-based, cross-party political alliance for the re-election of President Tinubu in 2027, declaring that no state currently matches what he described as the Rivers “Rainbow Coalition” model.

The minister made the remarks during a thank-you visit to Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State last week, where he said politics in the state had transcended party affiliations and was anchored on collective unity and shared purpose.

He argued that Rivers State’s political strength was rooted in a tradition of cooperation and consensus, which, according to him, had helped the state remain stable despite sustained pressures and attempts to weaken its political structure.

Wike also expressed optimism that political stakeholders would eventually harmonise their strengths on a single platform ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying such alignment would further strengthen unity and strategic focus.

However, IPAC described the minister’s assertion as unfounded and misleading, insisting that the former Rivers governor lacks the mandate to speak for parties.

The council said that at no time did it authorise Wike or any individual to determine or announce the political preferences, alliances or electoral choices of registered political parties at the state or national levels.

“IPAC notes with utmost concern the recent claim credited to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to the effect that all political parties will allegedly align under his leadership in a so-called “rainbow coalition” to support President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

“We categorically state that this assertion is unfounded, misleading and exists only in the imagination of the FCT Minister. At no time has he been granted the mandate by IPAC or by any registered political party to speak on their behalf or to determine at either the state or national level their political preferences, alliances or choice of candidates for the 2027 elections,” Martins said.

According to him, political parties are independent institutions governed by their constitutions, structures and internal democratic processes, adding that decisions on coalitions, alliances or endorsements can only emanate from duly constituted organs of the respective parties.

The IPAC spokesman also dismissed the notion that parties were being mobilised en bloc behind any individual or agenda, warning against what it described as attempts to appropriate the collective will of political parties for personal political ends.

He said, “For the avoidance of doubt, political parties in Nigeria are independent institutions governed by their constitutions, structures, organs and internal democratic processes.

“Decisions relating to coalitions, alliances or endorsements can only emanate from the duly constituted organs of the respective political parties and not from any individual, irrespective of position or influence.”

While rejecting the minister’s claim, the council said it was aware that some political parties were independently considering unconditional solidarity support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

“Contrary to the misleading narrative being advanced by the FCT Minister, IPAC is aware that some political parties are independently considering the option of giving unconditional solidarity support to His Excellency, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, in Rivers State.

“This includes the possibility of not fielding governorship candidates as a voluntary sacrifice aimed at restoring peace, stability and effective governance in the state, values currently under strain and of paramount importance to the good people of Rivers State.

“These considerations are entirely the decisions of the concerned parties and are driven solely by collective solidarity with the aim of promoting lasting peace,” Martins said.

The council stressed that no individual, regardless of position or influence, has the right to hijack or speak for political parties.