2027: WIKE REITERATES TINUBU’S SUPPORT, SAYS RAINBOW COALITION IS NOT APC STRUCTURE
Read Time:4 Minute, 19 Second
By:Aminat Tajudeen
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has reiterated his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, clarifying that the Rainbow Coalition is intended to mobilise support for the President rather than undermine the All Progressives Congress.
Wike spoke on Monday after inspecting the ongoing ISEX 2 project, Southern Parkway project and the road connecting Nile University to Ring Road 3 in Lugbe, Abuja.
He said his primary political focus ahead of the 2027 election was to support Tinubu’s bid for a second term, stressing that he had made his position known from the beginning.
“My concern is that the President will be re-elected for the second term. That is my concern. And I made that known from the onset that I was going to support Mr President with all my might and strength,” he said.
His comments came amid disagreements between supporters of the Rainbow Coalition and APC governors over the structure and objectives of the political platform.
Wike maintained that the coalition was a cross-party platform created to mobilise support for Tinubu and questioned criticisms directed at the initiative.
He said the coalition was intended to bring together APC members and individuals from other political parties who support the President’s re-election.
“We said all our party members, all those like-minds who are not APC members, to please ensure that they support Mr. President,” he said.
The minister also dismissed speculation that he was positioning himself for the 2031 presidential election, saying future political developments would depend on circumstances that could only become clear with time.
“You know, people take the position of God. First of all, you have to pray that you are alive. You must ask God, ‘Keep me alive till tomorrow,’ or ‘Keep me alive till the next day.’ When God keeps you alive, then you now know what to do,” Wike said.
The former Rivers State governor recalled his participation in the 2022 Peoples Democratic Party presidential primary, where he finished second, saying the experience had given him insight into Nigeria’s political dynamics.
Reacting to suggestions that he was already positioning himself for 2031, Wike asked, “So, am I positioning myself… in which of the parties am I positioning myself to?”
He also noted that the eventual succession of Tinubu in 2031 would involve the President having an interest in who succeeds him.
Wike said he would reveal what he described as the “undertones” behind opposition to the Rainbow Coalition during a television appearance.
“You will hear it today. What is the real cry about the Rainbow Coalition, the undertone. Nigerians don’t understand that there are undertones about it, and we’ll let the cat out of the bag so that Nigerians will be well-informed,” he said.
The minister reiterated his earlier position that the Rainbow Coalition has no formal affiliation with the APC and is focused on mobilising support across political parties for Tinubu’s presidential bid.
Meanwhile, Wike expressed satisfaction with the progress of major road projects in Abuja, saying contractors had renewed their commitment to completing and handing over the projects ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said the inspection was part of efforts to monitor projects promised to residents of the Federal Capital Territory and ensure that contractors met their agreed delivery schedules.
“I came back yesterday and, as usual, I have to go round to check the ongoing projects which were promised to residents of Abuja to be completed before the elections,” he said.
Wike said he was particularly impressed with the quality of work on the projects inspected and disclosed that CGC had reaffirmed its commitment to handing over the High Court project by December.
The minister also said work on the second bridge around the Gaduwa axis would intensify after the rainy season.
“The second bridge is ongoing, and they have said but for the heavy downpours, they would have started the earthworks. However, by the time the rain subsides, they will start heavy earthwork and still promise that to be completed before the elections,” he said.
At the Nile University–Ring Road 3 project, Wike said he was encouraged by the progress recorded since his previous inspection, when he had raised concerns over the pace of work.
According to him, CCECC had committed to completing and handing over the project in the first week of January.
“I must say the management has committed itself that latest first week of January, they would have also handed over this project. So, I’m very, very happy that we are on schedule, on course, and the promise made by this administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would be completed before we go for the general elections,” he said.
Wike added that the contractors’ renewed commitments had eased his earlier concerns and expressed confidence that they would meet the agreed deadlines.
“Last time I came, I was worried, but now I think I’m a bit relieved. With their further commitment, you saw what CGC said, and now CCECC has repeated that they will be on course. So, I trust them,” he said.
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