Umahi denies Rainbow Coalition presence in Ebonyi ahead of 2027 contest

Nigeria’s Works Minister David Umahi has denied that the Rainbow Coalition Movement has an organisation in Ebonyi State or is preparing to challenge Governor Francis Nwifuru ahead of the 2027 election. Umahi, a former governor of Ebonyi, made the remarks during an inspection of the Calabar-Abuja Superhighway in Benue State on Friday. A video of his comments has circulated on Facebook.

The Rainbow Coalition is described in the supplied material as a multi-party arrangement led by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike. Wike has backed President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid while saying the coalition would support candidates from his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, for other elective positions. Umahi said he did not know whether Wike had a governorship candidate in Ebonyi.

“There is no Coalition in Ebonyi State,” he said, adding that Wike had not told him of any such candidate. Although he described Wike as a friend and brother, Umahi said a candidate backed by the minister would not be part of their personal relationship. He also dismissed the strength of the PDP in the state, saying he had left the party in 2020 and had placed his confidence in the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Umahi said opposition politicians were free to campaign in Ebonyi, but warned them against provoking conflict or making hate speeches. He said the state would not tolerate attempts to foment crisis, while maintaining that peaceful campaigning was permitted. The minister also said he saw no threat to Nwifuru, Tinubu or other APC candidates in Ebonyi.

He expressed hope that the party could secure 95 percent of the vote, describing that result as a dream. The comments come amid reported tension between Wike and APC governors, including an earlier dispute involving Nwifuru over claims that the FCT minister had been given influence in the state.