Wike defends Rainbow Coalition, dismisses APC govs’ fears

Minister Nyesom Wike defended the Rainbow Coalition's support for Bola Tinubu's re-election bid, asserting it would not create internal divisions within the All Progressives Congress (APC). He clarified that the coalition aimed to rally broader support for Tinubu by uniting APC members and those from other parties, rather than undermining the ruling party.

Examples of coalition members include Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum and Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke. Wike emphasized that the APC would remain the platform for Tinubu's re-election, while supporters from other parties could contribute to the same goal. He dismissed concerns that the coalition had unsettled APC governors or caused defections, noting that political circumstances differed across states and required accommodating local interests while pursuing a common national objective.

Wike also rejected suggestions that the coalition was unprecedented in Nigerian politics, stating that such cooperation had occurred before but was now more formalized in the current political environment. The minister urged Nigerians to evaluate Tinubu's performance based on its merits and not be swayed by partisan considerations.