A former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche, has called the Rainbow Coalition led by Nyesom Wike a smart political move. He believes it can boost President Bola Tinubu’s support ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Mr Nwuche, who also leads the South-South Development Commission, praised Mr Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, for his bravery and political skills in forming the coalition.
In a statement on Monday, the former deputy speaker said the coalition has built a political bridge across party lines. This allows politicians and others in opposition parties to back Mr Tinubu’s re-election without leaving their parties.
“The Rainbow Coalition is a political masterstroke. It has created leeway and an important political opening that allows individuals and groups who may belong to opposition parties to support the President’s re-election without necessarily having to abandon their political parties,” he said.
Mr Nwuche rejected the idea that the coalition could hurt Mr Tinubu’s chances in 2027. He believes that expanding the president’s support base will improve his chances.
“Those suggesting that bringing more Nigerians into President Tinubu’s support base will weaken his chances in 2027 fundamentally misunderstand how political coalitions work,” he said.
“Every additional constituency, political stakeholder, or community that identifies with the President’s interest strengthens, rather than weakens, his electoral prospects.”
Mr Nwuche also denied claims that the coalition has caused confusion over the political direction of Rivers State. He stated there is clear agreement on the coalition’s choice for governorship candidate.
“There is no confusion or uncertainty whatsoever over the choice of the coalition’s consensus governorship candidate in Rivers State,” he said.
He mentioned that coalition members will work to secure votes for Mr Tinubu, the governorship candidate, and candidates for the National and State Assemblies in the 2027 elections.
Mr Nwuche said the coalition would use a similar strategy in other states, calling its formation a “big plus” for Mr Tinubu’s re-election efforts.
He urged members of the All Progressives Congress who do not support the coalition to focus on building support for the president instead of attacking Mr Wike and the coalition.
He believes the focus should be on securing votes at all levels, including polling units, wards, local governments, and states.
The former deputy speaker also asked Nigerians from all political, religious, and ethnic backgrounds to support Mr Tinubu’s re-election. He said continuity is needed to strengthen the administration’s economic reforms.
He admitted that some reforms have caused difficulties for Nigerians, but he argued that consistency in policy is necessary for their benefits to show.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains the best choice for the future prosperity of Nigeria,” he said.
Mr Nwuche warned Nigerians against what he called “bogus promises, fanciful projections and economic hallucinations” from some presidential candidates ahead of the 2027 election.
He believes these promises do not align with Nigeria’s current economic situation and global economic trends.
“What Nigeria needs now is not a return to the past, but the courage to complete the journey towards a stronger, more productive and prosperous nation,” he said.
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