2027: ‘There Is No Rainbow Coalition in Imo’ — Uzodimma Dares Wike, Threatens To Take Vehicles Away From Defaulters
By Trek Africa Newspaper
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has declared that the Rainbow Coalition Movement has no presence in the state, insisting that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will win the 2027 elections across all elective positions.
Uzodimma made the declaration on Tuesday during the flag-off of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement in Imo State and the distribution of campaign vehicles to members of the group in Owerri, the state capital.
The PBAT Door-to-Door Movement is a support group mobilising for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Speaking at the event, which was broadcast live on Channels Television, the governor charged members of the group to remain loyal to the APC and work for the victory of Tinubu and all candidates of the party in next year’s general elections.
“The PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, listen to me,” he began.
“You’re members of the APC. If I see you work outside the APC, I’ll collect the vehicles from you,” the governor warned.
“You’re empowered to work for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC. There’s no rainbow coalition in Imo State.”
Uzodimma Says Tinubu Will Win Imo Without Rainbow Coalition
The governor maintained that he did not need the Rainbow Coalition Movement to secure victory for Tinubu in Imo State, expressing confidence that the President would win through what he described as “organic votes.”
He also described the APC as the only recognised political party in the state and urged residents to support its candidates across all levels of government in the 2027 elections.
His remarks come amid disagreements between him and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over the Rainbow Coalition Movement, a multi-party political arrangement established to mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election.
Uzodimma, Wike Disagree Over Rainbow Coalition
Wike, a former Rivers State governor and member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been promoting the Rainbow Coalition as a platform for supporting Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Under the arrangement as described by Wike, the coalition would support Tinubu’s re-election, while the PDP would seek to win other elective positions.
However, Uzodimma and other APC governors have opposed the arrangement, arguing that it could weaken the electoral prospects of APC candidates contesting for other offices.
The Progressive Governors Forum, chaired by Uzodimma, has also expressed opposition to the coalition, describing it as a political arrangement that could undermine the APC and its candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
Wike Accuses APC Governors of Selfish Interests
Wike has accused Uzodimma and other APC governors, including Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, of opposing the coalition for what he described as “selfish reasons.”
According to the FCT minister, the governors are concerned that politicians who failed to secure APC tickets but subsequently obtained PDP tickets could defeat their preferred candidates in the general elections.
Wike also alleged that some incumbent federal lawmakers were among those who turned to the PDP after being denied APC tickets.
He further accused Uzodimma of opposing the coalition because he believed it could jeopardise his ambition to become Senate President after the 2027 elections.
The minister also declared that he would not support Uzodimma’s reported ambition to occupy the position.
Uzodimma, who has secured the APC ticket for Imo West Senatorial District, is expected to complete his tenure as governor in January 2028, several months after the next Senate is inaugurated in June 2027.
The dispute highlights the growing disagreement over how support for Tinubu’s re-election should be organised, particularly where the interests of the APC and those of politicians operating through other parties intersect.
