Former South-East spokesperson to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Denge Josef Onoh, has called on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to clarify the political role of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Onoh urged Wike to formally join the APC if he intends to remain involved in the affairs of the ruling party, arguing that the minister should not seek to influence the party while retaining his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In a statement issued in Abuja, Onoh criticised the political arrangement associated with Wike and popularly described as the “Rainbow Coalition”, alleging that it could create divisions within the APC.
He described the coalition as a potential “Trojan horse” and questioned its ability to provide substantial electoral support for President Bola Tinubu beyond Rivers State. These are Onoh’s characterisations of the arrangement, rather than an established assessment of its electoral strength.
Onoh also rejected comparisons between Wike’s current political alignment and the G5 governors’ alliance that emerged before the 2023 presidential election.
According to him, the G5 consisted of five serving governors who controlled political structures in their respective states and were operating around specific political and regional grievances.
He argued that the present arrangement does not have a comparable structure or level of institutional control.
Onoh further criticised Wike over his reported disagreements with some APC governors, including Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma.
He alleged that such disagreements could create tensions within the ruling party as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.
Onoh warns against split-ticket voting
The former presidential aide also raised concerns about what he described as “split-ticket” voting, where voters could support Tinubu for president while backing candidates from other parties in legislative elections.
Onoh argued that such a voting pattern could reduce the number of APC lawmakers elected to the National Assembly and affect the party’s legislative strength.
He cited the 2023 elections in Enugu State to support his argument, although his interpretation of the election results is his own political assessment.
‘Wike must make his position clear’
Onoh said Wike needed to make a clear decision about his political affiliation if he wished to continue participating in the affairs of the APC.
He maintained that the FCT minister should either formally register as an APC member at his ward or withdraw from attempts to influence the internal affairs of the ruling party.
Wike, however, remains a member of the PDP while serving as a minister in the Tinubu administration and has supported Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid. He has also promoted a broader political coalition involving politicians across party lines.
Onoh maintained that the APC already had nationwide structures and grassroots support and urged the party’s leadership to protect its existing political organisation as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
His comments add to the ongoing debate over Wike’s political position and the role of cross-party alliances ahead of the next general election.
