Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has reaffirmed his commitment to the All Progressives Congress (APC), while defending the right of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and other politicians to form political alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Aiyedatiwa said his political allegiance in Ondo State remains firmly with the APC, stressing that his relationship with Wike does not conflict with his loyalty to the ruling party.
The governor made the remarks on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday while responding to questions about the Rainbow Coalition, a cross-party political platform associated with Wike and linked to efforts to support President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
“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,” Aiyedatiwa said.
He maintained that political relationships should not necessarily be interpreted as changes in party allegiance, noting that alliances and support groups are common features of Nigeria’s political landscape.
According to him, political actors are free to associate with groups whose interests align with theirs, provided such alliances are directed towards legitimate political objectives.
Aiyedatiwa specifically defended the Rainbow Coalition, saying there was nothing inherently wrong with the formation of such a platform if its purpose was to support Tinubu’s re-election.
“Politics is about interest, relationships, alliances if you like,” he said, adding that the coalition could be viewed in the same way as other support groups working for the President.
His comments come amid growing political debate over the Rainbow Coalition and its implications for the APC ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The Progressives Governors Forum, which represents APC governors, has opposed the idea of APC members becoming involved in a cross-party political arrangement, warning that such a structure could undermine efforts to secure Tinubu’s re-election.
Wike, who remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has continued to associate with the coalition while openly backing Tinubu for another term in office.
The former Rivers State governor has repeatedly stated that delivering victory for Tinubu in 2027 is among his major political priorities.
He has also dismissed claims that the Rainbow Coalition was created to weaken or destabilise existing political parties.
Aiyedatiwa’s position, however, suggests that political cooperation across party lines does not necessarily amount to abandoning party loyalty, as he maintained that Ondo State remains firmly in the APC camp despite his cordial relationship with Wike.
