Wike’s Rainbow Coalition: Niger Delta Youth Leader Knocks APC Governors Over Political Tensions
Says Political Differences Should Be Resolved Within the Framework of Law, Democracy and Electoral Competition
By EgbemaVoice News
A Niger Delta youth leader, Comrade Mingo Meshach Sayami Ogumaka, has criticised the growing confrontation between Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and some governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the emerging “Rainbow Coalition” ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Comrade Mingo, while reacting to the controversy, said political actors should exercise restraint and allow Nigeria’s constitutional and electoral framework to determine the limits of political participation, alliances and electoral competition.
The controversy intensified after the APC Governors’ Forum declared that its members would not support any political arrangement capable of weakening the APC or adversely affecting its candidates at the various levels of the 2027 elections. The position was made public by Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma, on September 15, 2026.
Wike subsequently clarified that his Rainbow Coalition was primarily aimed at mobilising support across political parties for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid and that the coalition should not be interpreted as an arrangement of the APC. He also maintained that the PDP remained free to field candidates for governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections.
“Wike’s Political Position Should Not Be Treated as a Crime”
Comrade Mingo said Wike’s political history should be considered within the context of Nigeria’s multiparty democracy, recalling that Wike remained a prominent PDP figure while supporting Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election.
According to him, the same political actors who benefited from or accepted cross-party political support in the 2023 election should be cautious about portraying a similar development in 2027 as inherently illegitimate.
«“Wike is a prominent member of the PDP who supported President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election. At that time, there was no constitutional crisis because a politician belonging to one political party decided to support a presidential candidate of another party.»
«“Today, if Wike is mobilising support for President Tinubu while political actors associated with his network participate in other elections under different political platforms, the proper question should be whether such activities comply with the Constitution and applicable electoral laws—not whether individual politicians are comfortable with them.”»
The youth leader argued that Nigeria’s political system permits voters to make different choices at different levels of an election. Wike himself has cited the 2023 results in states including Imo, Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi as examples of voters supporting different parties for presidential and legislative contests.
‘Presidential Support Does Not Automatically Mean State-Level Political Surrender’
Comrade Mingo further argued that supporting a presidential candidate should not automatically be interpreted as an obligation to support every candidate of that candidate’s political party at every other level.
Wike has made a similar distinction, stating that his commitment is to mobilise support for Tinubu’s presidential bid while the PDP remains entitled to field candidates in governorship and legislative elections.
“Politics is a contest of interests, ideas, structures and candidates,” Comrade Mingo said. “If political parties believe their candidates are stronger, they should return to the people, mobilise their supporters and win at the polling units. Political competition should not be replaced with accusations simply because another political actor is building support outside the preferred structure.”
‘Governors Should Focus on Their Records and the People’
The Niger Delta youth leader also urged governors across the country to concentrate on governance, delivery of democratic dividends and strengthening their relationship with the electorate rather than allowing internal political disagreements to dominate public discourse.
He said governors have every right to defend their political parties and candidates, but such defence should remain within the boundaries of democratic competition and lawful political activity.
“The governors have the right to defend the APC and campaign for APC candidates. Wike also has the right to articulate his political position within the limits of the law. Ultimately, the electorate will decide who receives their votes.
“No politician owns the votes of Nigerians. Governors do not own the votes of their states, just as ministers, party leaders and political coalitions do not own the votes of citizens. The people remain the final decision-makers at the ballot box.”
Political Alliances Must Be Tested Against the Law
Comrade Mingo stressed that the 2027 political environment should be governed by the Constitution, the Electoral Act, regulations issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the lawful rules of registered political parties.
INEC’s published guidance confirms that candidates contesting elections in Nigeria are sponsored by registered political parties and that political parties submit their nominated candidates to the Commission in accordance with the Electoral Act and the applicable timetable.
He therefore called on political actors to avoid turning legitimate political disagreements into personal attacks.
“Where there is an alleged violation of electoral law, let the appropriate institution investigate and determine the matter. Where there is no violation, politicians should allow democracy to operate.
“Political disagreements are normal in a democracy. What is dangerous is when political competition becomes an excuse for intimidation, character assassination or attempts to prevent citizens from making independent political choices.”
‘Let the 2027 Election Be About the People’
Comrade Mingo urged all political stakeholders, including Wike, APC governors, PDP leaders and other political actors, to approach the 2027 elections with maturity and respect for democratic institutions.
He said Nigerians should be allowed to assess candidates based on their records, programmes, character as publicly documented, campaign promises and capacity to represent their interests, rather than being compelled to follow rigid political calculations imposed by political elites.
“The 2027 election should not become a battle over who controls whom politically. It should be a contest before the Nigerian people.
“Let every party present its candidates. Let every political movement mobilise within the law. Let every politician defend his or her political interests. At the end of the day, let Nigerians decide through the ballot.”
Comrade Mingo concluded by calling for political tolerance, insisting that Nigeria’s democracy would be strengthened when political actors learned to compete vigorously without undermining the constitutional rights of citizens and the authority of electoral institutions.
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