Lawyer accuses Wike, Rainbow Coalition leaders of breaching party constitutions

Constitutional lawyer Justice Osai Ahiakwo has lambasted the architects of the Rainbow Coalition, including Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, for allegedly breaching party rules and constitutions in their backing for President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid in 2027. Ahiakwo highlighted concerns over the coalition's tactics of rallying support for Tinubu amidst members belonging to other parties with their own presidential contenders, raising questions about party loyalty, democracy, and constitutional adherence.

The article, titled "When Political Loyalty Becomes a Casualty of Electoral Convenience," was penned following a Rainbow Coalition rally at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, on November 7, 2026. Ahiakwo specifically questioned the inclusion of People's Democratic Party (PDP) figures in the rally, despite the party fielding its own candidate, Senator Sandy Ojang Onor.

He emphasized that while political alliances were permissible, party members were still obligated to adhere to their party's rules and electoral laws. Referencing Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution regarding freedom of association, Ahiakwo stressed that political party members were not exempt from their party's constitutionally imposed duties.

He also drew parallels and insights from Supreme Court decisions in Onuoha v. Okafor (1983) and Isah Shuaibu Lau v. PDP & Ors. (2018), which upheld the parties' right to operate within their established frameworks. Although these rulings did not unequivocally determine the legality of cross-party coalitions, Ahiakwo argued that any such arrangements required explicit authorization from the relevant party bodies.

He further probed whether party leaders could pledge allegiance to another party's candidate without obtaining the necessary permissions from their respective constitutions. Ahiakwo also criticized the apparent contradiction wherein ordinary party members could be penalized for anti-party behavior while senior leaders engaged in similar affairs with impunity.

He warned that permitting parties to retain their presidential candidates while campaigning for another candidate could erode party identity, leaving supporters uncertain about their party's electoral stance. Ahiakwo called for the coalition to be subject to rigorous scrutiny regarding its authority, transparency, and adherence to electoral obligations, rather than being viewed merely as a politically expedient arrangement driven by influential figures.

He affirmed that democratic cooperation should be grounded in transparent agreements, compliance with constitutional authority, and clear delineation of political responsibilities, stressing that democracy demands consistency, accountability, and respect for voter's choices.