*Progressive Governors reject rainbow coalition, demand total loyalty to Tinubu

The Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) has drawn a battle line with the leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

They also ruled out any form of support or endorsement for political coalitions outside the All Progressives Congress (APC), or one founded on a quick sand.

The PGF decision is widely seen as a direct rebuke to the Nyesom Wike-led Rainbow Coalition, which has been gaining traction as a cross-party mobilisation platform.

Chairman of the PGF and the Governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, announced the decision after a closed-door meeting of the APC governors in Abuja.

He stated that the governors will not participate in any political arrangement capable of weakening President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

He also condemned any arrangement that may undermine APC candidates at the governorship, National Assembly, or State Assembly levels.

“No arrangement that creates confusion, divided loyalty, or competing interests within the party will be entertained,” Uzodimma stated.

The declaration underscored the governors’ demand for total loyalty to the APC.

Despite the existence of a national campaign structure, the PGF insisted that APC governors will spearhead mobilisation efforts for Tinubu’s re-election in their respective states.

They promised and affirmed their decision to effectively position themselves as the frontline champions of the party’s 2027 campaign.

*Wike fires back

However, Wike, fired back at the APC governors, accusing them of misunderstanding the purpose of the Rainbow Coalition.

Wike said: “I heard some governors say the Rainbow Coalition is to reduce the votes of our President.

“Where were you when we delivered Rivers State for Tinubu in 2023 without a coalition?

“This coalition will increase Tinubu’s votes. If you don’t know how to do it, come and learn from us,” Wike said defiantly.

Wike clarified that his support is strictly for President Tinubu’s re-election, and rejected their demand that the PDP would not feild candidates in the Governorship, National Assembly, or State Assembly elections.

He argued that politics is no longer about “coming from fourth place to become governor” but about genuine mobilisation from the polling units, apparently throwing a punch at Uzodinma.

*Rainbow coalition vs APC Governors

Wike emphasised that the Rainbow Coalition is not an APC initiative but a platform for other political parties that admire Tinubu’s leadership and wish to support his re-election.

He pointed to voting patterns in the 2023 elections.

He noted that in states like Imo, Abia, Enugu, and Ebonyi, voters supported APC candidates in senatorial elections while backing other parties in the presidential race.

“Most importantly, Rainbow Coalition has nothing to do with the APC.

“Rather, it is our way of mobilising support across political parties for Mr. President, who has done well to deserve a second term,” Wike explained.

President Tinubu is caught in a clash between Wike, Uzodimma and the entire APC Governors highlighting a deepening fault line within the ruling party, especially, as APC governors are determined to protect the party’s internal cohesion and prevent divided loyalties.

Whether Tinubu can balance these competing interests or not,  the escalating confrontation sets the stage for one of the most daring political battles in Nigeria’s recent history.