ABUJA — The Forum of State Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has delivered a firm rejection of the “Rainbow Coalition” movement spearheaded by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, issuing an ultimatum that the former Rivers State governor and his allies must formally defect to the APC or immediately halt all multi-party cross-mobilisation operations.
Rising from an emergency operational meeting on Sunday evening, September 27, 2026, in Abuja, the forum—chaired by Cross River State APC Chairman Alphonsus Eba—declared that the ruling party will not tolerate hybrid political arrangements or third-party platforms designed to bypass official state executives ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The chairmen’s resolution reinforces the aggressive pushback launched by the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) against Wike’s cross-party network, following public declarations by Governors Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), David Umahi (Ebonyi), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) insisting on absolute party discipline.
Key Directives from the APC State Chairmen
Issuing a joint communique following the meeting, the APC chairmen emphasized that political alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration must be matched by structural party membership:
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Ultimatum on Defection: The forum demanded that Wike and opposition politicians backing the president under the Rainbow Coalition umbrella officially collect APC membership cards, register at their respective ward levels, and submit to party constitutionality rather than running parallel coalitions.
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Rejection of Dual Loyalty: The chairmen warned that operating as a PDP or non-aligned stakeholder while simultaneously attempting to direct pro-Tinubu campaign structures in the states creates organizational chaos, disenfranchises loyal grassroots members, and undermines local candidate nominations.
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Protection of State Structures: Reaffirming the authority of state executive committees, the forum stated that no external minister or non-APC coalition coordinator has the statutory right to host unauthorized campaign caucuses or distribute political patronage under the guise of supporting the 2027 presidential bid.
Escalating Friction Over 2027 National Assembly Control
The chairmen’s ultimatum comes on the heels of explosive allegations made by Wike during a television appearance, where he accused key APC governors—including PGF Chairman Hope Uzodimma, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun—of opposing his coalition for “selfish reasons” tied to controlling the 11th National Assembly leadership.
Wike had claimed that governors were attempting to suppress aggrieved APC members during state primary elections, driving disgruntled politicians into opposition platforms like the PDP while retaining alignment with President Tinubu at the top of the ballot. He further stirred controversy by openly declaring he would oppose any bid by Governor Uzodimma to emerge as Senate President in 2027.
However, the APC state chairmen dismissed Wike’s arguments as a divisive tactical maneuver aimed at fragmenting the party’s institutional cohesion. They reiterated that the APC will field official candidates across all elective positions—from presidency to state assemblies—and will not concede state political space or legislative tickets to non-party movements.
