Makinde Faults Wike for Listing APM in Rivers Rainbow Coalition

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, has criticised Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for including his party in the Rainbow Coalition unveiled in Rivers State.

Makinde, who is also the Governor of Oyo State, spoke on Thursday at the APM South-East Town Hall Meeting in Enugu, where he expressed surprise that Wike had listed the APM among the political parties participating in the coalition.

According to reports, Makinde said he watched the unveiling of the Rainbow Coalition and questioned how the APM became part of the arrangement.

“A few days ago, I saw my good friend, Nyesom Wike, who was unveiling the Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State, and he listed all the political parties in the coalition and mentioned APM. I said, ‘So APM has graduated to be added to the Rainbow Coalition?’” he said.

The APM candidate also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He alleged that opposition campaign posters were being pulled down and campaign activities disrupted as part of efforts to undermine rival political groups.

Makinde, however, insisted that such alleged tactics would not stop his camp from reaching voters and building public support.

“They’ve tried to undermine almost all the opposition parties. They can try, pull down posters, disturb the campaigns, and give people money. We, on the other hand, are winning hearts,” he said.

His remarks come amid political realignments and coalition-building ahead of the 2027 elections, with questions emerging over party affiliations, alliances and the strategies opposition groups intend to adopt.

Wike’s reported inclusion of the APM in the Rivers Rainbow Coalition has now prompted a public response from Makinde, who questioned the party’s place in the arrangement.