By Isaac Mission
Former Southeast spokesperson to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Denge Josef Onoh, has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to clearly state where he stands politically ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Onoh, in a statement issued in Abuja, raised concerns about the emerging political coalition popularly described as the “Rainbow Coalition,” warning that its activities could have implications for the electoral prospects and legislative strength of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He urged the APC leadership and party stakeholders to carefully examine the coalition’s structure, objectives and possible impact on the party as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.
According to Onoh, the current political realignment should not be compared directly with the G5 or Integrity Group that played a significant role in the political developments preceding the 2023 elections.
He recalled that he worked with former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and others to mobilise support for the APC in the Southeast during the 2023 election period.
Onoh maintained that the circumstances surrounding the 2023 realignment, which involved serving governors and regional political interests, were substantially different from the composition and objectives of the coalition currently taking shape.
He also pointed to political disagreements involving Wike, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, urging political actors to handle their differences in a manner that would preserve stability and cooperation.
The former lawmaker further warned APC members against political arrangements that could encourage voters to support the party's presidential candidate while backing opposition candidates in legislative and state elections.
He argued that such split-ticket voting could weaken the APC's representation in the National Assembly and other elective positions.
Onoh said the presidential and National Assembly elections would be conducted concurrently, making party coordination and discipline particularly important ahead of 2027.
He therefore called on APC stakeholders to strengthen internal cohesion and develop a coordinated strategy for the elections.
On Wike's role, Onoh challenged the FCT minister to make his political position unambiguous, arguing that he should either formally join the APC or stop influencing the party's internal affairs.
He specifically urged Wike to register as a full APC member in his political ward if he intends to participate in shaping the party's structures.
Onoh expressed confidence in the APC's grassroots network and urged party members to close ranks as they work towards securing victory for President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.