MINISTER of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said he will disclose what he described as the “undertones” behind the controversy surrounding his Rainbow Coalition.
News Point Nigeria reports that Wike, who spoke in Abuja on Monday during an inspection of key infrastructural projects in the FCT, said Nigerians would hear his explanation on TVC between 5pm and 7pm. His position comes amid growing debate over the coalition and concerns expressed by some All Progressives Congress (APC) governors about its political implications.
The minister said his immediate political priority remained re-electing President Bola Tinubu in 2027, dismissing suggestions that the coalition was designed to destabilise the All Progressives Congress (APC) or position him for the 2031 presidential race.
He said, “Today on TVC from 5:00 to 7:00, probably Nigerians will hear me very well. All I just want to let you know is that my concern is how the President will be re-elected for a term. That is my concern.
“And I’ve made that known from the outset that I was going to support Mr President with all my might and strength. It’s very disappointing to hear some people say the Rainbow Coalition will destabilise them. I don’t understand from which angle that will be.
“But, just hear me very well today. It’s an opportunity for Nigerians today, and we’ll let Nigerians know what is really behind all these so-called cries about the Rainbow Coalition.”
Wike also compared the coalition with the G5 governors’ position during the 2023 general elections, when the group backed Tinubu’s presidential bid, questioning why similar mobilisation outside the APC was now being viewed as a threat to the party.
“It is not correct. I mean, we have not gone to anybody to say, ‘don’t support anybody’. We told all APC members, and all those like-minded people who are not APC members, to please ensure that they support Mr President.
“And this is not the first time. First of all, in 2023, there was the G5, right, and we supported Tinubu. Why is it that nobody complained that it will destabilise the party? Didn’t the President win? Did it affect the APC controlling the National Assembly? In short, that will even give them an advantage.
“But that’s not the real cause of this cry you hear today; what’s the real cry about the Rainbow Coalition? Nigerians don’t understand those undertones. We’ll let the cat out of the bag, so that Nigerians will be well informed about this so-called cry about Rainbow Coalition.”
On suggestions that the coalition could be part of a strategy to position him for the 2031 presidential election, Wike said such plans were premature.
He recalled contesting the 2022 presidential primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he came second, and said he understood the country’s political dynamics.
“You know, people take the position of God. First of all, you have to pray that you are alive. You must have to say, ‘God, keep me alive till tomorrow. God, keep me alive till the next day.’
“When God keeps you alive, then you don’t know what to do? As it is now, and you start planning for 2030, 31? That tells you what I said I will say today: that it’s not about anything.
“What am I going to do about 2031? First of all, you should know that I ran in the 2022 presidential primary, and I came second, but if not for what happened, I would have emerged.”
Wike added that Tinubu would have an interest in determining his successor and said he would not necessarily align with whoever the President might favour.
“By 2031, the President will not run. So, the President must also have an interest in who succeeds him. And will I be different? No, I would not align with what Mr President is thinking about,” he said.
He added that Nigerians would hear more about the reasons behind the controversy over the Rainbow Coalition during his TVC appearance.
Wike Inspects FCT Projects
Meanwhile, Wike expressed satisfaction with the progress of construction work on major projects across Abuja.
His inspection covered the High Court complex, the N9/N10 multi-storey building leading to Ring Road 2 and the Southern Parkway (N20).
At the High Court project, Wike commended the contractor, CCEC, for the quality of work, saying it had assured the FCT Administration the project would be handed over by December 10 or 15.
“I’m impressed. I came back yesterday, and as usual, I have to go round to check the ongoing projects which were promised to residents of Abuja to be completed before the elections.
“Well, we visited the High Court first, and you can see work well done, a quality job being done. And I commend the contractors, CCEC, who have assured that before December 15th, 10th, they will hand over that project,” he said.
On the Southern Parkway, Wike said heavy rainfall had delayed the commencement of earthworks but expressed confidence that work would resume fully once the rains subsided.
“We moved to Southern Parkway, N20… well, the second bridge is ongoing. And they have said that, but for the heavy downpours, they would have started the earthworks.
“However, once the rain subsides, they will start full earthworks, as he promised, and it will be completed before the elections,” he said.