Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche, has thrown his weight behind Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, saying the Rainbow Coalition has strengthened President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s prospects for re-election by bringing support from across party lines.
Nwuche, who is also Chairman of the South-South Development Commission, described Wike’s role in building the coalition as a demonstration of political courage, strategic thinking and innovation, while dismissing criticisms directed at the initiative.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Nwuche said the coalition had created an avenue for politicians and political stakeholders outside the All Progressives Congress to support Tinubu’s 2027 presidential bid without being required to abandon their respective parties.
“The Rainbow Coalition is a political masterstroke. It has created leeway and an important political opening that allows individuals and groups who may belong to opposition parties to support the President’s re-election without necessarily having to abandon their political parties,” he said.
Nwuche faulted those arguing that Wike’s political initiative could weaken Tinubu’s chances, saying expanding the President’s support base across party lines could only improve his electoral prospects.
“Those suggesting that bringing more Nigerians into President Tinubu’s support base will weaken his chances in 2027 fundamentally misunderstand how political coalitions work. Every additional constituency, political stakeholder, or community that identifies with the President’s interest strengthens, rather than weakens, his electoral prospects,” he said.
He also rejected claims that the Rainbow Coalition had created confusion in Rivers State, insisting that its political direction in the state remained clear.
“There is no confusion or uncertainty whatsoever over the choice of the coalition’s consensus governorship candidate in Rivers State,” Nwuche said.
He added that members of the coalition would mobilise voters for Tinubu, the coalition’s governorship candidate and its National and State Assembly candidates during the 2027 elections.
Nwuche said the coalition’s strategy would not be restricted to Rivers State, adding that its members would demonstrate the same determination in other parts of the country.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that the coalition is a big plus to the President’s re-election prospects in 2027,” he said.
The former Deputy Speaker also defended Wike against criticism from some members of the ruling APC, urging them to stop what he described as needless attacks on the FCT minister and instead focus their energy on grassroots mobilisation.
He said politicians opposed to the coalition should concentrate on securing votes for Tinubu in their polling units, wards, local government areas and states rather than attacking those working to broaden the President’s support base.
Nwuche further appealed to Nigerians across political, religious and ethnic divides to support Tinubu’s re-election, arguing that continuity was necessary to consolidate the administration’s economic reforms.
While acknowledging the hardship associated with the reforms, he said policy consistency and stability were necessary for the measures to deliver their intended benefits.
He also warned Nigerians against what he described as “bogus promises, fanciful projections and economic hallucinations” ahead of the 2027 elections, arguing that some political promises were disconnected from the country’s current economic realities.
“What Nigeria needs now is not a return to the past, but the courage to complete the journey towards a stronger, more productive and prosperous nation,” he said.
