A number of aggrieved members and former leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, have joined or expressed support for the Rainbow Coalition being promoted by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The development comes amid growing disagreements between Wike and some APC governors over political alliances and preparations for the 2027 general elections. APC figures from several states have either defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, or declared support for Wike's coalition after losing out in party nomination processes or falling out with their state leaderships.
The affected states include Kwara, Osun, Katsina, Ondo, Ogun, Gombe, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Cross River, and Jigawa.
In Kwara State, political stakeholder Tajudeen Olesin said he joined Wike's camp after what he described as unfavourable treatment within the state APC. Olesin said the Rainbow Coalition provides an alternative political platform for people who remain supportive of President Bola Tinubu while seeking opportunities outside the APC.
The senator representing Kwara Central, Saliu Mustapha, has also moved from the APC to the PDP and declared support for the coalition, while two members of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Saba Gideon and Olushola Odetundun, were also reported to have left the APC.
In Osun State, Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi reportedly left the APC after losing his return ticket and subsequently picked the PDP ticket with the backing of Wike.
Similarly, two members of the House of Representatives from Katsina State, Shehu Tafoki and Shehu Dalhatu, have reportedly defected from the APC to the PDP.
Other political figures reported to have moved from the APC include former Ondo State APC chieftain Idowu Mafimisebi, former House of Assembly aspirant in Ogun State Mustapha Owolabi, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Isa Pantami, and former Gombe South Senator Anthony Yaro.
The development has intensified the disagreement between Wike and APC governors, particularly over whether politicians supporting President Tinubu should also support APC candidates at other levels.
The APC Progressive Governors' Forum, led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, has maintained that its members are committed to supporting official APC candidates at all levels.
Wike, however, has maintained that supporting President Tinubu's presidential bid does not require him or members of his coalition to support APC candidates in every other contest.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser on Party Affairs to the Kwara State Governor, Mashood Alaka, alleged that Wike's coalition could be part of a broader political strategy extending beyond the 2027 elections.
Wike's Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, rejected the claim that the minister was positioning himself for the 2031 presidency, describing the argument as based on a misunderstanding of the country's political power rotation.
The disagreement has continued to generate reactions within the APC and the wider political space as parties and political actors intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Filed under
#Nyesom Wike
#Rainbow Coalition
#APC
#PDP
#Bola Tinubu
#Hope Uzodimma
#2027 Elections
#Nigerian Politics
#Political Coalition
#Glow 99.1 FM Akure
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Several aggrieved APC members and former party leaders have reportedly joined or expressed support for Nyesom Wike's Rainbow Coalition amid growing political disagreements ahead of the 2027 elections. A number of aggrieved members and former leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, have joined or expressed support for the Rainbow Coalition being promoted by the Minister of the...
Key takeaways
- Several aggrieved APC members and former party leaders have reportedly joined or expressed support for Nyesom Wike's Rainbow Coalition amid growing political disagreements ahead of the 2027 elections.
- A number of aggrieved members and former leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, have joined or expressed support for the Rainbow Coalition being promoted by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
- The development comes amid growing disagreements between Wike and some APC governors over political alliances and preparations for the 2027 general elections.
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Several aggrieved APC members and former party leaders have reportedly joined or expressed support for Nyesom Wike's Rainbow Coalition amid growing political disagreements ahead of the 2027 elections. A number of aggrieved members and former leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, have joined or expressed support for the Rainbow Coalition being promoted by the Minister of the...
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Glow 99.1 FM published this story with OYEBODE OLUWAFEMI EMMANUEL listed as author.
When was it published?
September 20, 2026
