NEWS
“This Wike’s Rainbow Coalition is completely anti-north. We can see through it” — Northern APC Leaders Threaten to Abandon Tinubu’s 2027 Campaign Over Wike’s Alleged 2031 Ambition
Fresh tension is reportedly brewing within the All Progressives Congress (APC) over allegations that some northern leaders in the party are considering withdrawing their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
The development, according to party sources, is linked to growing concerns over the political activities of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and allegations that he is leveraging his relationship with President Tinubu to position himself for the 2031 presidential race.
The reported disagreement centres on the political power-sharing arrangement expected by some northern elements within the APC, who believe that the presidency should return to the northern region in 2031 after Tinubu’s tenure.
However, party sources claim that Wike, who is from the South-South, is allegedly pursuing what has been described as a “Rainbow Coalition” designed to build a broad political network across party lines and consolidate influence within both the APC and opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to the sources, the alleged strategy is causing unease among northern APC leaders who fear that Wike’s reported political calculations could ultimately undermine the anticipated rotation of presidential power to the North in 2031.
Some party figures are reportedly concerned that supporting Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 could inadvertently strengthen Wike’s political structure and improve his chances of influencing the 2031 presidential contest.
The situation has consequently created what party insiders describe as a delicate political calculation for northern APC stakeholders, many of whom are said to be weighing the implications of the 2027 election against their expectations for the 2031 power transition.
A northern APC leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, accused Wike of using his political influence to pursue what he described as a long-term strategy aimed at retaining presidential power in the South.
“This Wike’s Rainbow Coalition is completely anti-north. We can see through it. Since his appointment as minister, he has been building his own political influence in which has metamorphosed into this Rainbow Coalition.
“So, it is a well-crafted anti-north scheme conceived, designed and being operated to perfect a political grip on states and retain power in the South in 2031.
“Wike has been unambiguous about his intentions to take over APC-controlled states. He has also infiltrated and hijacked APC structures in many states.
“So, we know the plan.
“Beneath the veneer the Coalition scheme is a long-game project that is not merely reacting to present-day political mathematics. It will become an assembling of a national network of loyalists and IOUs, across party lines plotted to deliver power to the south in 2031.
“We in the north will never accept that. We hope President Tinubu is seeing the danger ahead” he said.
The allegations come against the backdrop of Wike’s continued involvement in Nigeria’s complex political realignments.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State and a prominent figure in the PDP, has remained politically influential despite his appointment into President Tinubu’s administration. He has also maintained strong relationships with politicians across different political parties and camps.
The reported “Rainbow Coalition” is said to comprise members of Wike’s faction of the PDP, some Labour Party elements, NNPP sympathisers and aggrieved APC politicians.
Northern party leaders are particularly concerned about the alleged expansion of Wike’s political network and his reported influence in the appointment and positioning of political allies in strategic government positions.
Sources alleged that several of Wike’s loyalists have secured appointments as ambassadors, heads of government parastatals and officials of sensitive agencies, which they interpret as part of a broader political strategy aimed at building influence ahead of future elections.
The development has reportedly intensified concerns among some northern APC stakeholders who fear that the political structures being assembled could become instrumental in determining the direction of the 2031 presidential contest.
For the northern camp, the central issue is not necessarily Wike’s current political influence but what they believe could be the long-term consequences of that influence on the expected rotation of power.
The concerns also highlight the increasingly complicated political calculations surrounding the 2027 presidential election, with various political blocs already positioning themselves for the contest and the subsequent 2031 transition.
While President Tinubu has yet to publicly respond to the allegations concerning Wike’s alleged 2031 ambition, the reported discontent among some northern APC leaders could become a significant issue as the party moves deeper into preparations for the 2027 election.
The claims, however, remain allegations, and there has been no public confirmation from Wike that he is pursuing the presidency in 2031 or that his political activities are intended to prevent power from returning to the North.
Neither the FCT Minister nor his spokespersons could be reached for comments at the time of filing this report.