By Desmond Ogbonmwan
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa State has declared its support for the Rainbow Coalition associated with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The declaration was made by the party’s governorship candidate, Dr David Emmanuel Ombugadu, during the official flag-off of his 2027 campaign in Lafia on Saturday.
Ombugadu said the Nasarawa PDP chapter had embraced the coalition and would await Wike’s direction on its political activities.
“We want to affirm today that the entire Nasarawa State stands for Rainbow Coalition. We are all united in support of our national leader, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. We are waiting for our national leader to give us direction. Wherever he goes, we will go,” Ombugadu said.
The campaign launch brought together PDP stakeholders and supporters from across Nasarawa State as the party formally began its campaign activities ahead of the governorship election.
What Is Wike’s Rainbow Coalition?
The Rainbow Coalition is a cross-party political platform promoted by Wike as part of efforts to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Wike has repeatedly said the coalition is separate from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and is intended to bring together politicians from different parties who support Tinubu’s presidential bid.
He has also maintained that supporting Tinubu does not prevent the PDP from fielding candidates for governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections.
That distinction is significant in Nasarawa, where Ombugadu is seeking the governorship on the PDP platform while simultaneously expressing support for the coalition associated with Wike.
Ombugadu Declares Support for Wike
At the Lafia campaign launch, Ombugadu asked stakeholders from Abuja who attended the event to convey the greetings of Nasarawa residents to Wike.
He described the FCT minister as a national leader and said residents were looking forward to Wike visiting the state.
The statement places the Nasarawa PDP campaign within the broader political realignment taking place across party lines ahead of the 2027 elections.
Wike has previously described the emerging coalition as a means of mobilising support for Tinubu while allowing politicians to pursue their own state-level political contests.
Ombugadu Outlines His Nasarawa Agenda
Beyond the coalition issue, Ombugadu used the campaign launch to outline some of the priorities he said his administration would pursue if elected.
He identified security, innovation and inclusive governance among his priorities.
He also highlighted Nasarawa’s mineral resources, including gold, lithium and wolframite, arguing that the state had not yet derived sufficient benefits from its deposits.
Ombugadu said his proposed administration would seek to improve healthcare services and provide greater security for farmers.
He also said residents would have a role in determining the development priorities of their communities.
PDP Urges Supporters to Protect Their Votes
The PDP candidate also urged supporters to protect their votes during the election.
The party’s National Deputy Chairman, North, Yusuf Nya Agirikwe, similarly called on PDP members to mobilise voters and safeguard their ballots.
Agirikwe said the party believed it had the support necessary to contest the governorship of Nasarawa State and urged members to work towards that objective.
The emphasis on voter mobilisation and ballot protection reflects the party’s focus on translating its campaign organisation into votes during the 2027 election.
What the Coalition Means for Nasarawa Politics
The Nasarawa declaration adds another state-level development to the wider political realignment surrounding Wike’s coalition.
Wike has said his 2027 objective through the Rainbow Coalition is to mobilise support for Tinubu’s presidential re-election rather than to prevent the PDP from contesting other elections.
Consequently, support for the coalition does not automatically mean that the Nasarawa PDP is abandoning its own governorship campaign.
Instead, Ombugadu’s declaration indicates that the state PDP leadership is prepared to align with Wike’s direction on the coalition while continuing its own campaign for the Nasarawa governorship.
The development comes as political parties and politicians across Nigeria continue to form alliances and redefine their relationships ahead of the 2027 elections.
Why This Matters
The Nasarawa position illustrates one of the unusual features of Nigeria’s emerging 2027 political landscape: politicians can maintain their party identities while simultaneously participating in broader cross-party alliances.
For the PDP in Nasarawa, the immediate question is how its support for Wike’s coalition will coexist with its campaign to win the state governorship.
For Wike, the declaration represents another public expression of support for the political platform he has been promoting across party lines.
What Happens Next?
Ombugadu said the Nasarawa PDP would await further direction from Wike on the coalition.
The party will meanwhile continue its governorship campaign, with security, healthcare, agriculture, mineral resources and inclusive governance among the issues highlighted at the Lafia launch.
The wider Rainbow Coalition is also expected to remain a significant feature of political activity ahead of the 2027 presidential election, particularly as politicians from different parties decide how to balance their state-level contests with their positions on the presidential race.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Rainbow Coalition?
The Rainbow Coalition is a cross-party political platform promoted by Nyesom Wike to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election. Wike has said politicians participating in the coalition can retain their party affiliations and continue to contest other elections under their respective parties.
Who is David Ombugadu?
David Emmanuel Ombugadu is the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate in Nasarawa State for the 2027 election. He formally flagged off his campaign in Lafia on Saturday, where he announced the Nasarawa PDP’s support for Wike’s Rainbow Coalition.
What did Ombugadu say about Wike?
Ombugadu said the Nasarawa PDP was united behind Wike’s coalition and would await his direction. He also asked stakeholders attending the campaign launch to convey the regards of Nasarawa residents to the FCT minister.
Does supporting Wike’s coalition mean Nasarawa PDP will not contest the governorship?
No. Wike has explicitly said the Rainbow Coalition’s support for Tinubu does not prevent the PDP from fielding candidates for governorship and legislative elections. Ombugadu is continuing his campaign for the Nasarawa governorship on the PDP platform.
What issues is Ombugadu campaigning on?
Ombugadu has highlighted security, healthcare, innovation, protection for farmers, inclusive governance and greater utilisation of Nasarawa’s mineral resources among the issues he intends to address if elected.
