By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, has distanced itself from the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister Nyesom Wike’s claim of the formation of a “Rainbow Coalition” to promote the second term ambition of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Rivers State.
This is as the umbrella body of registered political parties in Nigeria insisted that no one, including Wike, has the mandate to speak and or act for IPAC in the negotiations, formations and announcements of political preferences and alliances.
The Source reports that the FCT Minister who is presently embroiled in a political face
-off with his estranged political godson Governor Siminalayi Fubara, during his just concluded ” thank-you-visit ” to the Rivers state grassroots , informed that the Peoples Democratic party PDP, All Progressive Congress APC and other political platforms have coalesced to power the Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Tinubu.
He subsequently enjoined other political forces in other states to adopt the Rivers state rainbow coalition model in their support and promotion of the return bid of the President.
“Now I don’t want to hear that you are from PDP or you are APC, and all that. From now we are one family members, who are working for the re-election bid of Mr President.
“There is nothing like PDP and APC in Rivers state. We are members of the Renewed Hope Family”, Wike told the people.
But in a statement issued on Tuesday January 13, 2026, IPAC’s spokesperson, Egbeola Martins, described Wike’s comments on rainbow coalition as not only unfounded, and misleading, but also baseless and untenable.
The Council emphasized that at no time did it mandate the FCT Minister or any other persons or groups to form or announce political preferences, alliances or electoral choices for registered political parties at any levels in the country.
IPAC, therefore, described as worrisome and shocking that Wike, could arrogate to himself the power to negotiate, form and announce alliances and coalitions for political parties in the country.
“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 Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
“We categorically state that this assertion is unfounded, misleading and only exist in the imagination of the FCT Minister.
“At no time has he ( Wike) been granted the mandate by IPAC or by any registered political parties 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.
“For the avoidance of doubt, political parties in Nigeria are independent institutions governed by their constitutions, structures, organs and internal democratic processes.
“Decisions relating to coalitions, alliances or endorsements can only emanate from the duly constituted organs of the respective political parties and not from any individuals , irrespective of position or influence”, Martins stated.
According to the IPAC spokesman, contrary to the misleading narratives being pushed by Wike , the body is aware that a significant number of registered political parties in Nigeria are mulling the option of unconditional support for Governor Fubara in the count down to the 2027 general elections.
“This includes the possibility of not fielding gubernatorial candidates ,as a voluntary sacrifice aimed at restoring peace , stability and effective governance in Rivers state ,values currently under strain and of paramount importance to the good people of Rivers state”, IPAC noted.
However, the Council emphasized that this option is entirely within the purview of the political parties concerned ,as well as a decision driven solely by collective solidarity and not personal interests.
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