Rainbow coalition
Imo Governor Hope Uzodimma declared on Thursday that the rainbow coalition has no place in his state, reaffirming full support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re‑election bid. Speaking to members of the PAC Door‑to‑Door movement at a rally in Imo, the governor warned APC loyalists that any deviation from party lines would not be tolerated. He also highlighted the group’s expansion into more than 15 states, praising its founder High Chief Tompolo for personal contributions to the campaign. The statements come amid an ongoing tussle with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, who coordinates the rainbow coalition at the national level.
Uzodimma, who also serves as Secretary of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, told the gathering, “There is no rainbow coalition in Imo State. Are you listening?” The remark show his intention to keep the state’s political landscape strictly within the APC framework as the 2027 general elections approach. He added that party members who consider abandoning the APC would face concrete consequences, saying, “If I see you walk outside APC, I’ll collect the vehicle from you.” Such a stance signals a hard‑line approach to party discipline in a state where the opposition PDP still holds significant influence.
The governor’s comments were widely interpreted as a direct challenge to Wike, a PDP figure serving in Tinubu’s administration. Wike has been actively rallying politicians across party lines under the banner of the rainbow coalition, arguing that cross‑party support for the president does not preclude the PDP from contesting its own candidates for governorship, legislative and other offices. Uzodimma rejected that view, insisting that Imo’s votes in 2027 must be “organic votes” earned solely through the APC’s record. He enumerated his expectations: “Vote APC for House of Assembly. Vote APC for the Governor. Vote APC for House of Reps. Vote APC for Senate. Crown it with APC in the Presidency. We have no other party.”
In praising the PAC Door‑to‑Door volunteers, Uzodimma described them as “image makers” and pledged that Imo State would be a “full partner” in the push for Tinubu’s second term. He credited the movement’s founder, High Chief Tompolo, with mobilising resources that have enabled the campaign’s outreach across a broad swathe of Nigeria. The governor’s endorsement of the group aligns with his broader strategy to consolidate APC support ahead of a fiercely contested electoral cycle, where both the party and the PDP are expected to vie for control of key state and federal seats.
The clash between Uzodimma and Wike reflects a deeper tension within the ruling coalition. While the president’s camp seeks to broaden its base through the rainbow coalition, some APC strongholds, such as Imo, resist any dilution of party identity. Wike, in previous statements, has defended the coalition’s inclusive approach, asserting that it allows politicians from various parties to back Tinubu without compromising their own party’s electoral ambitions. This divergent outlook raises questions about how the coalition will manage competing interests as the 2027 elections draw nearer.
Political analysts note that the governor’s hard‑line warning could have repercussions for local officials and aspirants who might be tempted to align with opposition figures. The threat to seize vehicles from dissenters is symbolic of the broader pressure to maintain party cohesion. At the same time, the emphasis on a unified APC front may energise the party’s grassroots, especially in regions where the PDP has traditionally been strong. Observers will be watching whether the rainbow coalition can reconcile these internal disagreements or if the friction will deepen, potentially reshaping campaign dynamics in the South‑East.
As the rally concluded, Uzodimma reiterated his commitment to a “no‑rainbow‑coalition” stance and called on all APC members to rally behind Tinubu in the upcoming elections. He left the audience with a clear message: Imo’s future will be decided at the ballot box, and the APC will be the sole vehicle for that decision. The next steps involve the APC consolidating its campaign structures across the state while the rainbow coalition prepares to present its own roadmap for the 2027 race, setting the stage for a contested political showdown later next year.
