Wike: Adeleke's Visit to Tinubu Signals Move Towards 'Rainbow Coalition' for 2027

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has interpreted Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke's recent visit to President Bola Tinubu as a strategic move to build a wider "Rainbow Coalition" in support of Tinubu's 2027 presidential aspirations. Wike stated that this alignment transcends party lines, emphasizing that Adeleke, while currently on the Accord Party platform, is fundamentally a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“

l don’t know what you call opposition as far as there is no opposition now. Adeleke is only… You remember PDP, you realise that. But because of internal wranglings, and for him to be able to secure a ticket to run for the second term, he had to find a platform, and that platform happened to be Accord Party. But he’s a member of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Wike explained that Adeleke initially ran under the Accord Party due to internal wrangling within the PDP, which prevented him from securing a PDP ticket for his second term bid. However, Wike insists that Adeleke remains deeply rooted in the PDP structure and is now fully committed to supporting President Tinubu. "I don’t know what you call opposition as far as there is no opposition now," Wike remarked, suggesting a shifting political landscape where traditional party allegiances are becoming less rigid.

“

And what happened last night (Thursday) is meeting to rebuild a larger Rainbow Coalition. And he is supporting Mr. President. He’s in a different party; I’m supporting Mr. President, and I’m in a different party. So, it’s a larger Rainbow Coalition.

Pelumi Olajengbesi, spokesperson for the Ademola Adeleke Campaign Council, however, refuted claims that the governor intends to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Olajengbesi clarified that Adeleke's meeting with President Tinubu was purely a courtesy visit and not a precursor to changing his political allegiance. He stressed that Adeleke's commitment lies with the PDP, despite the temporary platform change for electoral purposes. Wike further elaborated on his strategy to keep political rivals like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi off-balance through these political realignments, expressing indifference to their potential discomfort.

“

All those ADC who are talking about ‘Oh, they helped Adeleke to win,’ they just wanted to go and harvest where they never planted, you know.