A former South-East spokesman for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Denge Josef Onoh, has challenged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to formally join the All Progressives Congress (APC) or stop interfering in the affairs of the ruling party.

Onoh, who is also Chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, criticised the political alliance being promoted by Wike, describing the proposed “Rainbow Coalition” as a potential threat to the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued in Abuja, Onoh described the coalition as a “Trojan horse” which, according to him, could create divisions within the ruling party and undermine President Tinubu’s re-election bid.

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“This so-called ‘Rainbow Coalition’ is a toxic distraction, a political mirage, and a well-calculated vehicle for personal ambition that will ultimately undermine the All Progressives Congress and jeopardise the presidential election if left unchecked,” Onoh said.

He questioned the electoral strength and organisational structure of the coalition, arguing that Wike’s political influence remained largely concentrated in Rivers State.

According to Onoh, the coalition lacked the nationwide political structures required to deliver significant electoral value beyond Rivers State.

He also dismissed comparisons between Wike’s current political alignment and the G5 governors’ alliance that emerged ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Onoh said the G5 consisted of five serving governors who controlled established political structures in their respective states and were therefore capable of influencing electoral outcomes in their regions.

He argued that Wike’s proposed coalition was fundamentally different.

“Today, Wike’s new ‘Rainbow Coalition’ has completely crumbled from that standard. It is not an alliance of powerful state executives; it is a desperate collection of political castaways, disgruntled ex-office holders, and floating political contractors who hold no real electoral value in their own political wards,” he alleged.

Onoh, who recalled his involvement in efforts to strengthen the APC in the South-East while working with former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, said political realignments could have significant consequences for the individuals and parties involved.

He further accused Wike of using his political influence to create tensions within the APC, citing the minister’s recent disagreements with Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma.

Onoh described the disagreements as part of what he called a “diversionary tactic,” alleging that Wike was attempting to weaken established APC structures in parts of the North-Central and South-East.

“By attacking highly respected APC governors who are the authentic custodians of the party’s grassroots votes, Wike is actively sowing the same seeds of discord that he used to tear the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) apart,” he alleged.

He also criticised any proposed arrangement under which voters would support Tinubu for president while voting for opposition candidates in National Assembly elections.

According to Onoh, such an arrangement could weaken the APC’s ability to secure a strong legislative majority because presidential and parliamentary elections are held simultaneously.

“We cannot exchange a robust, organic party victory for a transactional arrangement,” he said.

The former lawmaker cited the 2023 elections in Enugu State, arguing that attempts to combine support for candidates from different political parties contributed to the PDP’s poor performance in the state.

Onoh therefore urged APC leaders and stakeholders to reject any attempt to create a parallel political structure within the ruling party.

He said Wike must clarify his political allegiance if he intends to continue participating in discussions and activities concerning the APC.

“Nigeria’s political space has no room for double agents, political rent-collectors, or part-time allegiance.

“You cannot have one foot in the PDP, keep the other foot floating in a vague coalition, and expect to dictate the fortunes and internal architecture of the APC.

“Our position is simple: either Nyesom Wike fully, formally and unconditionally registers as a card-carrying member of the APC at his political ward, or he must step aside immediately,” Onoh stated.

Onoh maintained that the APC already possessed sufficient nationwide structures and grassroots support to secure President Tinubu’s re-election without what he described as Wike’s “damaging, self-serving distractions.”

His comments come amid increasing political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, with Wike and several politicians from different parties involved in discussions around a broader political coalition.