Shettima Rejects Wike’s Rainbow Coalition, Demands APC Votes From Top To Bottom

Vice President Kashim Shettima has rejected the Rainbow Coalition arrangement led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, insisting that supporters must vote for All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates across all elective positions in the 2027 general election.

Shettima made the position known on Wednesday during the APC presidential campaign rally in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.

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He said the Presidency would not accept an arrangement in which political groups support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election but back candidates from other political parties for governorship and legislative elections.

Wike’s Rainbow Coalition Backs Tinubu But Supports Other Parties

The Rainbow Coalition, led by Wike, has been mobilising support for Tinubu’s re-election ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

However, Wike has repeatedly maintained that the coalition’s support for Tinubu does not automatically translate into support for APC candidates in other elections.

Under the arrangement, the group intends to support Tinubu for president while retaining the freedom to back candidates from other political parties for governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly seats.

The position has created a difference between the coalition’s electoral strategy and the APC’s demand for support across all levels of government.

Shettima Insists On APC Candidates Across All Positions

Rejecting the arrangement, Shettima urged supporters to vote exclusively for APC candidates, stressing that the party wanted a complete victory in the 2027 elections.

He said supporters should not separate their votes between the presidential candidate and candidates contesting other positions.

“APC from top to bottom, APC from bottom to top. We do not want a situation where they say vote for the president and not the governor, or vote for the governor and not the president, or the senator, or the House of Assembly. We want APC straight,” Shettima stated.

His remarks underline the APC leadership’s preference for a unified voting strategy rather than selective support for Tinubu.

Shettima Highlights Tinubu’s Plans For Nasarawa

The Vice President also assured residents of Nasarawa State that Tinubu had the state at heart and was committed to delivering the dividends of democracy.

He highlighted areas such as road infrastructure, education and solid minerals as sectors expected to benefit from the administration’s investments.

Shettima’s comments at the rally reinforce the APC’s position that support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition should extend to the party’s candidates in other elective contests.

The disagreement over the Rainbow Coalition’s strategy could become an important issue in political alignments ahead of the 2027 general election.