ABUJA — Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that the Rainbow Coalition is working to destabilize the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying the group is focused on mobilizing support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election.
Wike made the clarification on Monday while speaking with journalists after inspecting ongoing infrastructure projects across the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the minister, the coalition has not approached members of any political party with demands to defect or abandon their existing political affiliations.
He explained that the group’s objective is to mobilized Nigerians, particularly those who are not members of the APC, to support President Tinubu’s bid for a second term.
“The Rainbow Coalition has not gone to anybody to say don’t support anyone. We have only asked our members and like-minded Nigerians who are not APC members to support Mr President,” Wike said.
He argued that such mobilization could not constitute a threat to the APC, insisting that additional support for the President would instead strengthen the party’s electoral prospects.
“That cannot destabilize the APC. Rather, it gives the party an advantage,” he added.
Wike also rejected suggestions that his involvement in the coalition was aimed at positioning himself for the 2031 presidential election.
The minister, who contested the Peoples Democratic Party presidential primary in 2022 and finished second, said discussions about the 2031 succession were premature, with political attention currently focused on the 2027 election.
“By 2031, President Tinubu would have completed his tenure and will naturally have an interest in who succeeds him. Why should I work against whatever direction the President decides? People are simply afraid of their own shadows,” he said.
Wike reiterated his support for President Tinubu’s re-election, saying his position had remained unchanged.
“My concern is that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is re-elected for a second term. That has always been my position, and I have made it clear from the beginning that I will support Mr President with all my strength,” he said.
The FCT minister further suggested that some of the criticism surrounding the Rainbow Coalition was politically motivated, saying Nigerians would gain a clearer understanding of the issues following his scheduled appearance on TVC.
“There are undertones behind all these cries about the Rainbow Coalition. Nigerians don’t know the real reasons, but they will understand everything after today’s interview,” Wike said.
Wike Inspects Abuja Projects
Meanwhile, Wike expressed satisfaction with the progress of several ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja, saying contractors were working towards delivering key projects before the 2027 general election.
During the inspection, the minister visited the ongoing High Court project, where he commended contractor CGC for the quality of work and expressed confidence that the facility would be completed by December.
He also inspected the Kubwa-Karaduwa road project, including the second bridge.
Contractors working on the project attributed delays in some earthworks to heavy rainfall but assured the minister that construction would accelerate once the rains subside.
At the Nile University-Ring Road II corridor, Wike commended contractor CCC for increasing the pace of construction following earlier concerns over delays.
The contractor reportedly committed to completing and handing over the project by the first week of January.
Wike said the renewed pace of work had restored his confidence that the administration’s infrastructure commitments to Abuja residents would be delivered within the agreed timelines.
“I am very impressed. We are on schedule and on course. The promise made by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be fulfilled before Nigerians go to the general elections,” he said.
The minister said the performance of CGC and CCC had further strengthened his confidence that residents of the FCT would begin to benefit from the completed projects as scheduled.
