{
  "id": 8900380,
  "title": "Onoh: Consequences for APC will be catastrophic if Wike’s Rainbow coalition wins significant seats in 2027",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/onoh-consequences-for-apc-will-be-catastrophic-if-wikes-rainbow",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-21T06:09:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Trust",
    "slug": "daily-trust",
    "url": "https://dailytrust.com/onoh-consequences-for-apc-will-be-catastrophic-if-wikes-rainbow-coalition-wins-significant-seats-in-2027/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Southeast spokesman for President Bola Tinubu's campaign, Denge Josef Onoh, has issued a dire warning to the governing All Progressives Congress (APC). Onoh asserts that the APC faces \"catastrophic consequences\" if Nyesom Wike's Rainbow Coalition secures substantial seats in the 2027 elections. In a statement to journalists in Abuja, Onoh called for an immediate response from the President and APC leadership regarding Wike's actions.\n\nOnoh argues that the Rainbow Coalition is merely a political front, attempting to portray itself as a loyalist vehicle for President Tinubu's re-election campaign. However, he contends that the coalition's actual influence is far greater, functioning as a \"calculated parallel power machine.\" If the APC fails to curb this movement, Onoh warns, the ruling party will inadvertently sow the seeds for its own destruction by 2031.\n\nOnoh further explains that Wike's strategy involves fielding candidates across various political parties, such as the PDP, for governorship, Senate, and House of Representatives seats before the 2027 elections. This approach aims to establish an autonomous political empire under the radar of the ruling party, exploiting the 2027 electoral cycle to dismantle APC's legislative and state autonomy. Should Wike's coalition achieve significant victories in 2027, the APC would lose its legislative independence, with Wike emerging as the ultimate political kingmaker.\n\nThe APC would be compelled to engage in perpetual political blackmail and horse-trading to secure key positions, budgets, and executive nominees, all while Wike maintains control over state resources and party machinery. Onoh emphasizes that Wike is not crafting a novel political ideology but rather executing a long-standing Nigerian political playbook.\n\nOnoh draws parallels between Wike's strategy and the actions of a previous political leader who deftly navigated regional power dynamics to force a merger and displace a rival party. Wike, according to Onoh, is carefully positioning himself outside the APC, leveraging federal cabinet prestige to build influence and wait for an opportune moment to dictate the terms of a forced realignment.\n\nOnoh's ultimate concern is the 2031 presidential transition. He warns that the Rainbow Coalition's primary goal is not merely the 2027 elections but securing the post-Tinubu transition in 2031. By building an extensive network of governors, senators, and representatives by 2027, Wike aims to force the APC into submission, effectively securing the Vice-Presidential slot for either himself or a chosen successor.\n\nOnoh reminds APC members that Wike, at 60 years old, remains in the prime age for a power play in contemporary Nigerian politics. Securing the Vice-Presidency in 2031 would grant Wike the ultimate platform to dominate the national stage and potentially launch a presidential bid beyond 2031. Onoh urges the APC to take urgent action, compelling Wike to either integrate his structures into the party, resign as a minister and become an opposition figure, or cease operating a parallel political entity that undermines the party's candidates. Failure to address this issue promptly, Onoh concludes, would grant Wike the keys to dismantle the APC's foundation.",
  "summary": "Denge Josef Onoh, former Southeast spokesman of President Bola Tinubu’s campaign, has warned the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of “catastrophic consequences” if the Rainbow Coalition of Nyesom Wike, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, wins significant seats in 2027. In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, Onoh demanded an immediate institutional response […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}