Umahi Rejects Wike’s Rainbow Coalition in Ebonyi, Reaffirms Support for APC
By Nafiu Muhammad Lema
Minister of Works and former Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has dismissed the possibility of a Rainbow Coalition in Ebonyi State, insisting that the state remains committed to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Umahi made the declaration on Friday while inspecting Section Two of the Calabar-Abuja Superhighway project in Ado, Benue State
According to a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, the minister maintained that although he enjoys a cordial relationship with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, the political arrangement being promoted by Wike has no place in Ebonyi.
“If Wike has candidates here, he has not told me. And his candidate cannot break our relationship, but his candidate is not part of our relationship. There is no rainbow coalition in Ebonyi State,” Umahi declared
The Rainbow Coalition, an initiative associated with Wike, seeks to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 by bringing together politicians from different political parties without requiring them to abandon their existing affiliations.
Umahi’s position comes amid disagreements between Wike and some APC governors over political alliances and arrangements ahead of the forthcoming general elections
The minister also warned politicians intending to campaign in Ebonyi against making inflammatory statements or engaging in activities that could threaten peace and security.
He stressed that political parties and candidates were free to campaign in the state but insisted that nobody would be permitted to instigate violence or create unrest.
“Nobody can foment crisis in Ebonyi State,” he warned.
Umahi further defended his decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accusing the party of failing to reward the South-East for its longstanding political support.
He argued that despite the region’s consistent backing of PDP presidential candidates, the party failed to recognise its interests when the opportunity arose.
“We supported PDP. We voted for presidents in PDP. And when it was our time for them to honour us, they did not honour us. They maltreated us,” he said.
Meanwhile, Wike has maintained that the Rainbow Coalition is intended to mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election rather than weaken the APC or other political parties.
