Rainbow coalition stirs more controversies in states – Daily Trust

By Mumini Abdulkareem, Ilorin; Abubakar Abdullahi, Lafia; Hope Abah, Makurdi; Usman A. Bello, Benin; Bassey Willie, Port Harcourt; Promise Adagba, Akure;  Umar Dankano Yola

Political calculations in many states have been altered with the popularity of the Rainbow Coalition championed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on account of his inclusion in the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu/APC 2027 Presidential Campaign Council.

Prior to the launch of the marketing campaign council in Abuja final week, All Progressives Congress (APC) governors led by Hope Uzodinma of Imo vehemently rejected the coalition plan, saying they might solely work for the candidates of the APC.

The coalition, as proposed by the FCT minister, intends to work for the reelection of President Tinubu in 2027 however line up behind candidates of different events, particularly the PDP, for different elective posts.

Our correspondents report that in many states, the Wike-backed PDP is fielding sturdy candidates for the governorship and National Assembly elections whose visibility even threatens the possibilities of sitting governors and their candidates.

Analysts notice that instantly after Wike was included in the presidential marketing campaign council, it despatched a powerful sign throughout the states that the coalition is in place and has the imprimatur of the presidency, which has egged candidates of different opposition events, particularly the PDP throughout the states, to revive their buildings with the hope that they might be supported by the centre.

The FCT minister has maintained that his help for President Tinubu’s re-election doesn’t oblige him to help each APC governor or candidate.

Coalition resolves inside dispute in Adamawa

The Wike-led faction of the PDP in Adamawa State has continued its political actions with out disruption following the decision of its inside dispute.

Since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) launched the checklist of governorship candidates submitted by political events, the dispute over the PDP’s genuine candidate seems to have been resolved.

Chief Maurice Michael Vonobolki was recognised, somewhat than Caleb Andrew, who had claimed to be the occasion’s candidate on social media.

The occasion’s state secretary, Alhaji Shekarau Yerima, mentioned the Wike issue wouldn’t have an effect on the PDP, insisting that it had adopted electoral pointers and its structure.

He described the PDP as a powerful contender in the 2027 elections, citing its victories in the 2023 basic and up to date native authorities elections in the state.

It opens new frontier in Kwara

In Kwara State, the coalition has uncovered divisions throughout the ruling APC over Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s succession plan, our correspondent experiences.

At the centre of the realignment are aggrieved APC chieftains, the Otoge Progressives (TOP), members of the G15 group of governorship aspirants and politicians related to former Senate President Bukola Saraki.

Although their pursuits differ, their opposition to the governor’s most popular succession association may complicate the APC’s electoral plans.

The coalition gained visibility on August 26, when Senator Saliu Mustapha unveiled its state chapter in Ilorin.

Mustapha, who defected from the APC to the PDP, additionally declared his intention to problem AbdulRazaq for the Kwara Central senatorial seat.

Wike not too long ago blamed AbdulRazaq for the coalition’s progress, accusing him of ignoring the grievances of the G15. He additionally warned that the governor would face a significant problem.

Speaking on the coalition’s implications for the 2027 elections, PDP Publicity Secretary Olusegun Olushola Adewara mentioned the occasion had no drawback with President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, as its main objective was to unseat AbdulRazaq.

Adewara added that the PDP had no objection to APC members becoming a member of the coalition, stressing that its focus was on profitable elections in the state.

Coalition nonetheless in pressure in Edo regardless of Orbih’s demise

In Edo State, the Rainbow Coalition stays energetic regardless of the demise of its chief, late Chief Dan Orbih, Daily Trust learnt.

Orbih spearheaded the coalition in the course of the 2024 governorship election, in which Governor Monday Okpebholo defeated the PDP candidate, Barrister Asue Ighodalo.

The coalition continues to be energetic in the state and is working in direction of the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking with Daily Trust, the PDP secretary in Edo, Hilary Otsu, mentioned Wike’s Rainbow Coalition remained energetic in the state, as in different elements of the nation.

Otsu mentioned many individuals have been concerned in the coalition in Edo and argued that the association wouldn’t have an effect on the possibilities of PDP candidates in state elections.

“Edo State voters are very discerning. So, our message in Edo is very clear: Vote for BAT in the presidential ballot. For Senate, Reps and Assembly, vote for PDP only,” he mentioned.

Rivers: Wike, APC’s Chinda, lawmakers meet Fubara once more

Barely two weeks after their final assembly, Wike, on Sunday, once more led the governorship candidate of APC in Rivers State, Kingsley Chinda, members of the State House of Assembly, native authorities chairmen and different key stakeholders to fulfill Governor Siminalayi Fubara at his residence in Port Harcourt.

The assembly between political leaders loyal to Wike and Fubara’s camp is claimed to have superior talks geared toward consolidating ongoing reconciliation efforts in the state below the Rainbow Coalition.

Wike led a delegation comprising primarily members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, together with its Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, and the 23 native authorities council chairmen, to fulfill Fubara and his supporters on the governor’s non-public residence in Port Harcourt.

Coalition exposes widening political divisions in Benue

The Rainbow Coalition’s bid to mobilise help for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 with out backing Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia’s second-term ambition has uncovered widening political divisions over the state’s governorship succession.

The coalition’s National Secretary, Austin Agada, mentioned on the weekend in Makurdi that the group wouldn’t help Alia until he demonstrated dedication to the coalition and its political pursuits.

Agada instructed journalists that the coalition would work for Tinubu however wouldn’t help Alia.

His place comes amid allegations by the Benue Alliance for Good Governance and Accountability (BAGA) {that a} proposed political association involving FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and former Benue Governor Samuel Ortom was geared toward influencing the 2027 governorship election.

BAGA alleged that the association, reportedly linked to the coalition, was designed to favour former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Mike Aondoakaa, as Alia’s successor.

The group rejected makes an attempt by political leaders exterior the state to find out Alia’s successor, insisting that the citizens ought to determine.

Agada mentioned Alia had not engaged the coalition.

“Benue is not Rivers, and we will not allow Wike from Rivers State to choose a governor for us in Benue State,” the group mentioned.

PDP Publicity Secretary Bright Antyo mentioned the occasion’s management would later state its place on how Wike’s help for Tinubu would possibly have an effect on its candidates in the elections.

It’s thriving in Nasarawa – Ombugadu

PDP candidates in Nasarawa State, from the governorship to the State House of Assembly, secured their tickets from the faction loyal to Wike.

The occasion’s governorship candidate, Emmanuel David Ombugadu, mentioned at a stakeholders’ assembly not too long ago that the state chapter would elect its presidential candidate in the course of the basic elections in line with Wike’s directive.

Ombugadu, who contested the 2023 governorship election, is looking for to actualise his ambition in the 2027 elections below the PDP.

Other main candidates whose electoral probabilities might be affected by the coalition association embody former Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mike Omeri.

Omeri is contesting the Nasarawa South senatorial seat on the PDP platform towards the candidate of the ruling APC, Abubakar Hassan Nalaraba.

In the 2023 basic elections, each the PDP and APC misplaced the presidential vote in Nasarawa State to Peter Obi, the Labour Party candidate on the time.

Ombugadu’s affirmation that the Nasarawa PDP would vote for a presidential candidate in line with Wike’s directive has continued to generate reactions amongst occasion stakeholders and observers forward of the 2027 elections.

It could have an effect on APC Senate candidates in Ondo

The emergence of candidates related to the Rainbow Coalition is elevating questions concerning the APC’s grip on its political buildings in Ondo State.

At the centre of the event are Matthew Oyerinmade, popularly generally known as MATO, the PDP candidate for Ondo South Senatorial District, and Idowu Mafimisebi, a former APC chieftain contesting the Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency seat on the PDP platform. Both are related to the Rainbow Coalition after failing to safe APC tickets for the 2027 elections.

Oyerinmade sees the association as a possibility to pursue his senatorial ambition whereas sustaining his help for President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking with Daily Trust, he mentioned his help for Tinubu predated his departure from the APC, including that Wike’s political imaginative and prescient aligned along with his personal.

He mentioned supporting Tinubu wouldn’t undermine his senatorial ambition, because the coalition meant to win legislative seats whereas mobilising votes for the President.

Mafimisebi’s camp can also be counting on native help somewhat than occasion affiliation alone.

One of his aides, Kayode Bidemi, instructed Daily Trust that the marketing campaign was mobilising supporters regardless of the APC’s affect in the state.

“We have been in the APC, and we were not given a chance to contest. We believe our people would vote rightly, not minding a mere logo of APC,” he mentioned.

Political analyst Lasisi Iwu, of the Department of Political Science at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, mentioned the event may pose a problem to APC candidates.

He mentioned influential stakeholders sympathetic to the coalition candidates may withhold help from APC candidates, withdraw from their campaigns or redirect their political affect in direction of most popular candidates in the Wike-led coalition.