Several APC state chapters have rejected Nyesom Wike’s Rainbow Coalition, with party leaders urging the FCT minister to formally join the ruling party if he truly supports President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election.
The dispute grew after Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal asked Wike to choose between the APC and the coalition.
“Our message is very, very clear: Be on one side. You can’t be on two sides. If you’re in APC, please come out and support APC. Not you’re supporting APC here, and you’re supporting other political parties somewhere else. It doesn’t make sense. It’s not done anywhere,” Lawal said.
He added, “APC all the way from head to toe.”
Lawal also said, “Exactly. What’s the essence?” when asked if Wike should join APC, adding that he would raise the matter with Tinubu.
APC chapters in Imo, Ondo, Rivers, Anambra, Kwara, Plateau and Nasarawa also opposed the coalition, mainly arguing that supporting Tinubu while backing other parties could confuse voters and weaken APC candidates.
Jigawa, however, welcomed Wike’s support and said it would receive him if he joined APC. Benue had divided views, while Osun and Delta said the matter should be handled nationally.
Wike has defended the coalition, saying its support is specifically for Tinubu’s presidential bid. He insists “politics is local” and that parties should remain free to contest other positions.
Some PDP figures also maintain that Wike remains a PDP member and national leader.
