Tinubu set to mediate Wike-APC governors dispute over 2027 coalition strategy

President Bola Tinubu is expected to intervene in an escalating political dispute between All Progressives Congress governors and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike over the Rainbow Coalition, a cross-party alliance supporting Tinubu's 2027 re-election. According to a senior presidential aide, the intervention is likely to occur in France before the end of the week, where Tinubu is currently on vacation.

The conflict centers on competing visions for the 2027 elections. Wike, who remains a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party while serving in Tinubu's government, has promoted the Rainbow Coalition as a platform to mobilise support for the President's re-election while allowing opposition parties to field candidates against APC nominees in governorship and legislative races. APC governors, led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and the Progressive Governors' Forum, have rejected this approach, declaring they will not support any alliance that could weaken the APC or undermine Tinubu's bid. Uzodimma stated the governors' campaign commitment remains "exclusively to APC candidates at all levels."

Wike has accused governors including AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara) and Uzodimma of obstructing his political influence and described them as "politically lazy." He maintains his support for Tinubu does not obligate him to abandon the PDP or refrain from backing opposition candidates in other contests. The disagreement has played out in public media appearances, with APC campaign spokesperson Ima Niboro urging both sides to "stop talking, go and work" at the grassroots rather than engage in public exchanges.

APC party structures, including the Grassroots Governance Organisation and various party chieftains, have criticised Wike for what they describe as creating confusion and sowing division within the party. They argue the Rainbow Coalition blurs distinctions between support for Tinubu and support for APC candidates, and warned that Wike cannot simultaneously champion the PDP while dictating APC campaign strategy. Some APC figures, including federal lawmaker Abdulmumin Jibrin, have defended Wike as an asset to the ruling party, citing his role in delivering Tinubu's 2023 election victory and contributions to APC fortunes in Rivers State and the FCT.

Understanding observers note the dispute reflects a structural tension: while both camps support Tinubu's presidential re-election, they disagree on whether that requires unified APC support across all electoral levels. The disagreement is also reportedly linked to broader political calculations surrounding the 2031 presidency, National Assembly leadership, and competition for influence in various states. APC leaders have expressed concern that unresolved tensions could fragment party machinery ahead of 2027.