The South-East leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected what it calls a “rainbow (chameleon) coalition” in the region. The leaders declared support for the party’s Progressive Governors and candidates ahead of the 2027 elections. They also condemned recent verbal attacks by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike against party stakeholders.
Wike, a former PDP governor, joined the APC in 2023. He has remained a contentious figure. His “rainbow coalition” concept suggests supporting Tinubu at the presidential level while backing non-APC candidates in other races. This directly challenges the APC’s structure. The Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) insists all party candidates must receive support. The conflict is about party discipline versus political flexibility.
The joint statement was signed by APC National Vice Chairman South-East Ijeomah Arodiogbu and party chairmen in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states. They described Wike’s remarks as “most unfortunate, reprehensible and completely unacceptable.” They accused him of plotting to remove sitting APC governors in 2027. They called on him to withdraw his attacks and return to party discipline.
The South-East APC has a specific grievance. The region has few APC governors. Imo’s Hope Uzodimma is the only one. The PGF is led by Uzodimma. Wike’s attacks on the PGF are attacks on the South-East’s only APC governor. The “rainbow coalition” would weaken the party in a region where it is already marginal.
The broader context is the 2027 election. Tinubu needs the South-East. He performed poorly there in 2023. The APC’s structure in the region is fragile. Wike’s manoeuvres threaten to fragment it further. The South-East APC leaders are drawing a line. They want party discipline, not coalition politics.
Winners: The PGF, which gains South-East backing. Uzodimma, who is defended. The APC establishment, which asserts party discipline. Losers: Wike, who is publicly rebuked. The “rainbow coalition” concept, which loses South-East support. The APC, if the internal conflict deepens.
Bottom Line: The South-East APC has drawn a line under Wike. Party discipline over coalition politics. The 2027 election will test whether the line holds.