The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has renewed his clash with All Progressives Congress governors over the proposed Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking on TVC’s Journalists’ Hangout on Monday, Wike dismissed concerns that the coalition could weaken the APC, saying its primary objective was to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.

He argued that politicians could support Tinubu for president while backing candidates of their preferred parties in governorship and legislative elections, citing the 2023 experience of the G5 governors.

“In 2023, core leadership G5, we said we are going to support Mr President. But we never said that all our candidates in other elections will fail,” Wike said.

The FCT minister alleged that some APC governors were opposing the coalition because of political interests, particularly efforts to influence the emergence of the next Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Wike specifically alleged that Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma, was positioning himself to become Senate President after leaving office.

He claimed the governors were seeking to influence the emergence of National Assembly members who would back their preferred candidates for the leadership positions.

Wike was categorical about his opposition to Uzodimma’s reported ambition.

“Life or death, I will never support a character of Hope Uzodimma to be the Senate President of Nigeria. Everybody knows that,” he said.

He, however, maintained that his position was not personal.

Wike also dismissed reports that Tinubu had agreed to concede nine states to the PDP or the Rainbow Coalition ahead of 2027, challenging those behind the claim to identify the states involved.

“The nine states, did they tell you the nine states?” he asked.

He said his focus was to secure Tinubu’s re-election by campaigning on the administration’s record, including its position on state police and devolution of powers and resources to sub-national governments.

Wike further disclosed that Tinubu was aware of the Rainbow Coalition and understood his political activities.

“As I speak to you here, Mr. President knows about my concept, of the rainbow coalition…. Mr. President understands me very well,” he said.

The disagreement followed the September 15 declaration by the APC Governors Forum that it would neither participate in nor support any political alliance capable of weakening the party, undermining Tinubu’s re-election or affecting APC candidates.

Uzodimma said the governors would exclusively support APC candidates at all levels.

Wike, however, insists that the coalition can mobilise support for Tinubu across party lines without requiring politicians to abandon their preferred candidates in other elections.

He had previously accused Uzodimma and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, of spearheading opposition to the coalition.

Efforts to obtain a reaction from APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls.

Meanwhile, sources within the ruling party told The PUNCH that the APC National Working Committee was working behind the scenes to broker a truce between the opposing camps.

The move is expected to gather momentum following the return of APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, from vacation.