Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has backed the Rainbow Coalition, a political movement led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Aiyedatiwa said there was nothing wrong with politicians from different parties forming alliances, particularly when such arrangements are built around shared political interests.
Aiyedatiwa spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday while responding to questions about the coalition and his relationship with Wike.
The governor, however, maintained that his political allegiance in Ondo remained firmly with the All Progressives Congress(APC).
His position comes amid growing disagreement within the camp of President Bola Tinubu over the Rainbow Coalition and the role it should play in the 2027 elections.
While some governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress have rejected the arrangement, Aiyedatiwa said his relationship with Wike should not be interpreted as a departure from the APC.
The Ondo governor made it clear that his political structure in the state remains firmly under the ruling party.
“In my state, it is APC all the way, that does not mean that I don’t have relationship with Wike. I don’t have any problem with Wike,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa stressed that maintaining a political relationship with Wike does not prevent him from remaining committed to the APC.
He said political relationships could exist across party lines, adding that politicians often work together when their interests align.
“Politics is about interest, relationships, alliances if you like,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa similarly argued that there was no reason to condemn a political arrangement simply because it brings together people from different political parties.
“So, Rainbow Coalition being led by His Excellency Honourable Minister Nyesom Wike, there is nothing wrong in having coalition or alliances.
“It’s all about interests, who wants to be part of that, you choose.
“There is freedom of association of being a member of one group, coalition or another just as we have a lot of support groups supporting the President.
“So, if Rainbow Coalition is also in form of a support group too for the president, what is wrong in that? Nothing,” Aiyedatiwa said.
The governor compared the Rainbow Coalition to the various support groups that have emerged across the country to campaign for Tinubu’s second-term bid.
For Aiyedatiwa, the existence of such alliances does not automatically mean that the APC is being weakened.
He maintained that politicians should be free to determine the groups or coalitions they want to associate with, provided their political interests are clear.
The APC governors had said they would not support or participate in any alliance capable of undermining the party or President Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
The disagreement has largely centred on whether politicians can support Tinubu for president while simultaneously backing candidates from other parties in governorship and legislative elections.
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