Lawal Backs APC Governors’ Position, Demands Clarity From Wike Over Rainbow Coalition

Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has reaffirmed his support for the position taken by governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, against the activities of the Rainbow Coalition associated with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Lawal said he was part of the mission behind the governors’ position and insisted that Wike should clearly define his political allegiance ahead of the 2027 general election.

The governor spoke in an interview with Channels Television on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

He said the APC governors had maintained that Wike could not simultaneously support the ruling party while also backing candidates of other political parties.

According to Lawal, the former Rivers State governor must make a clear choice regarding his political alignment.

He said the matter would be discussed with President Bola Tinubu when the President returns from his working vacation in France.

The controversy followed the decision of the Progressive Governors Forum, PGF, the umbrella body of APC governors, to distance itself from the Rainbow Coalition.

The coalition, associated with Wike, is a cross-party platform supporting Tinubu’s 2027 presidential bid while allowing political actors from different parties to participate.

Wike has defended the arrangement and maintained his support for Tinubu’s re-election, while arguing that members of the coalition should remain free to support candidates of their respective parties in other elections.

Lawal, however, said the APC governors would maintain their position, stressing that political allegiance should be clearly defined.

The Zamfara governor also indicated that the issue could be taken up at the level of the Presidency as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.