Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has hinted at the emergence of a broader national political coalition to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for re-election in 2027.

He discloses that Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, belongs to the emerging alliance.

Wike spoke yesterday in Abuja while inspecting ongoing projects in the FCT, against the backdrop of Adeleke’s recent meeting with President Tinubu and the political realignments expected to shape the 2027 general elections.

The minister said the meeting between Adeleke and Tinubu was part of efforts to strengthen what he described as a “National Rainbow Coalition” of politicians across party lines in support of the President.

According to him, the development was not about conventional opposition politics, insisting that the political landscape had been significantly altered by the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“When you say opposition, I have told you, I don’t know what you call opposition. I say there is no opposition now,” Wike said.

He argued that although Adeleke contested the recent Osun governorship election on the platform of the Accord Party, he remained a member of the PDP and was now part of the political realignment backing Tinubu.

“Adeleke is a member of the PDP, but because of the internal wranglings, and for him to be able to secure a ticket to run for a second term, he has to find a platform.

“And that platform happens to be a good party, but he is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party,” he said.

Wike explained that his meeting with Adeleke followed the governor’s engagement with Tinubu and was aimed at reviewing and strengthening the emerging coalition.

“What happened last night is a meeting to review the Rainbow Coalition. And he is supporting Mr President. It is a different party. I am supporting Mr President. I am in a different party. “So, it is a Rainbow Coalition,” he said.

The FCT minister predicted that the political alliance would expand in the coming weeks, urging Nigerians to watch out for further realignments ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

“In the next few weeks, watch what is going to happen. You will see the Rainbow Coalition in this country supporting Mr President,” Wike said.

He also dismissed claims by elements of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that the party and its allies contributed significantly to Adeleke’s victory in the Osun governorship election.

“All those ADC people who are talking about, ‘Oh, they helped Adeleke to win,’ they have seen that they have already just wanted to harvest what they never planted,” he said.

Wike maintained that Adeleke was now firmly within the coalition supporting Tinubu, declaring: “Adeleke belongs to us. And we all belong to Mr President.”

The minister further dismissed concerns about how former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, would react to the emerging political realignment.

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According to him, the PDP, which ordinarily should constitute the major opposition force, had been weakened by its protracted internal crisis.

“I have told you, when you say we are leading opposition, I have told you there is no opposition,” he said.

“What do you have? People who are just trying to see whether they can be relevant.”

Wike said the political contest ahead of 2027 was about defeating opponents rather than making them comfortable, declaring that he remained focused on strengthening his camp and ensuring victory for Tinubu.

“I don’t want them to feel well. It’s not my wish that they should feel well. My business is to make them not to feel well all the day,” he said.

He added: “When you are having a contest with somebody, your business is not to make him feel well. Your business is to make sure that you beat him thoroughly.”

Meanwhile, Wike said the FCT Administration was intensifying efforts to ensure that major infrastructure projects were completed within the deadlines set by the government.

He inspected the N5 Extension at Life Camp, being constructed by Julius Berger, and expressed satisfaction with the progress of work, saying the project would be ready by December.

He also inspected the N1 road project being executed by Arab Contractors, describing the work as a quality project that was also expected to be completed by December.

The minister subsequently inspected the IBB International Golf Club, which is undergoing rehabilitation following intervention by President Tinubu.

Wike said the President had directed that the facility be reopened by December, noting its importance to members of the diplomatic community who had complained about the prolonged closure of the golf course.

“We are giving it to Julius Berger to make sure that everything is done. By December this year, the golf course will be reopened,” he said.

He explained that Julius Berger was brought back to handle the rehabilitation because of its previous involvement in the construction of the facility and its familiarity with the project.

Wike, however, said the rehabilitation must be completed without creating another burden on public finances, insisting that the golf club should become financially self-sustaining after its reopening.

“The government should not use public funds to go back to the pool,” he said, adding that the management should be able to generate enough funds to run and maintain the facility.

The minister said the contractor was targeting November for completion of the physical works, but stressed that the December reopening remained the administration’s firm target.

Wike has previously described political mobilisation for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election as a “rainbow coalition” involving supporters across party lines. (The Guardian)

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