The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has dismissed claims by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, that political parties across the country are rallying under his leadership in a “rainbow coalition” to back President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Speaking via a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Egbeola Martins, on Tuesday, IPAC said that at no point had it authorised Wike to speak on its behalf.
Martins described the claim as misleading and unfounded, adding that Wike cannot determine or announce the political preferences, alliances or electoral choices of registered political parties at the state or national levels.
IPAC insisted that the former Rivers governor lacks the mandate to speak for parties.
The statement reads, “IPAC notes with utmost concern the recent claim credited to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to the effect that all political parties will allegedly align under his leadership in a so-called ‘rainbow coalition’ to support President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
“We categorically state that this assertion is unfounded, misleading and exists only in the imagination of the FCT Minister. At no time has he been granted the mandate by IPAC or by any registered political party to speak on their behalf or to determine at either the state or national level their political preferences, alliances or choice of candidates for the 2027 elections.”
Martins noted that political parties are independent institutions governed by their constitutions, structures and internal democratic processes, adding that decisions on coalitions, alliances or endorsements can only emanate from duly constituted organs of the respective parties.
The IPAC spokesman also dismissed the notion that parties were being mobilised behind any individual or agenda, warning against what it described as attempts to appropriate the collective will of political parties for personal political ends.
IPAC said contrary to Wike’s assertion, it was aware that “some political parties are independently considering the option of giving unconditional solidarity support to His Excellency, Governor Siminalayi Fubara in Rivers State.”
“This includes the possibility of not fielding governorship candidates as a voluntary sacrifice aimed at restoring peace, stability and effective governance in the state, values currently under strain and of paramount importance to the good people of Rivers State.
“These considerations are entirely the decisions of the concerned parties and are driven solely by collective solidarity with the aim of promoting lasting peace,” Martins said.
The council stressed that no individual, regardless of position or influence, has the right to hijack or speak for political parties.