Rainbow Coalition: Join APC or leave us alone, Zamfara Gov Tells Wike

Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal has challenged Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to choose whether to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election or remain a member of the Rainbow Coalition. Lawal said Wike cannot simultaneously support Tinubu’s re-election and back candidates from other parties. The All Progressives Congress (APC) governors have maintained their stance that members of the Rainbow Coalition, which supports Tinubu’s presidential bid, must not also support other parties.

The coalition, which includes a cross-section of politicians from different parties, has sparked disagreement between Wike and several APC governors over its political implications. Wike has maintained that supporting Tinubu does not necessitate members of the coalition abandoning their respective parties or giving up their right to contest other positions against APC candidates.

However, Lawal has called for Wike to either openly support the APC or reconsider his association with the Rainbow Coalition, stating that it is inconsistent to support Tinubu for the presidency while allowing other parties to challenge APC candidates in other elections. Lawal has also dismissed Wike’s recent criticism of some APC governors as lazy and challenged anyone to assess his administration’s record in Zamfara State.