Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has firmly aligned with his All Progressives Congress (APC) colleagues in their opposition to Nyesom Wike’s Rainbow Coalition, declaring that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister cannot maintain allegiance to two political camps ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking in an interview with Channels Television’s Inside Sources on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA, Lawal reiterated the governors’ unified stance. “Our message is very very clear, be on one side, you can’t be on two sides,” he said. “If you are in APC, please come out and support the APC, not you are supporting APC here and you are supporting some other political parties somewhere else.”
Progressive Governors Forum Takes Firm Position
The northern governor’s comments follow the Progressive Governors Forum’s (PGF) decisive opposition to the Rainbow Coalition, a cross-party platform linked to Wike and other political figures who claim to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. The PGF, which serves as the umbrella body for APC state governors, has expressed concern that the coalition could undermine their ability to secure victories for their preferred APC senatorial and House of Representatives candidates.
Wike, a former Rivers State governor, has publicly named three APC governors opposed to his movement. He argued that some politicians, including incumbent federal lawmakers, obtained Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial and House of Representatives tickets after the governors allegedly denied them APC tickets. The FCT minister claimed these governors fear that such politicians, if elected, could work against their political interests.
Wike defended the coalition by stating it was preferable for these politicians to join the PDP, which he described as an opposition party backing Tinubu, rather than the African Democratic Congress (ADC) or the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Governors Unmoved by Wike’s Defence
Responding to Wike’s public justification, Lawal made it clear that the governors would not alter their position. “We maintain our stand and the message is very clear. He can speak, he can say whatever he wants to say, but our position has been very clear, APC all the way from head to toe,” he stated.
When pressed on whether the governors were effectively asking Wike to formally join the APC, Lawal replied simply: “exactly.”
Wike’s political situation remains complex. He is officially a national leader of the PDP faction recognised by the court and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yet he serves in Tinubu’s administration as FCT minister and has openly supported the president’s re-election in 2027.
Tinubu Plans Defined Role for Wike
Earlier reports indicated that President Tinubu is working to carve out a defined campaign role for Wike ahead of the 2027 elections. Sources familiar with the developing structure said the former Rivers governor is being positioned to coordinate campaign efforts in Rivers State and the FCT. This arrangement is designed to leverage Wike’s political network while keeping him outside the formal APC structure, given his status as a card-carrying member of the PDP.
