By Rayyanu Bala

Let me make this point very clear: the idea of a Rainbow Coalition, a brainchild of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is nothing but a political fantasy that will not see the light of day in all APC-controlled states.

From my understanding, the Rainbow Coalition idea, floated by Wike and other non-APC governors as a bargaining strategy, is perhaps intended to create a better negotiating position for themselves. But the reality on the ground suggests that the idea has not received the blessing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC leadership, or the APC governors. More importantly, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made his position clear.

We do not need to look too far to understand the President’s thinking. Right from the flag-off of the presidential campaign in Kaduna, President Tinubu made a statement that left little room for ambiguity. His message was simple: APC all the way, from top to bottom.

That message was not an isolated remark. It became the recurring political declaration throughout the campaign. From Vice President Kashim Shettima to Senator Abdul-Aziz Yari, the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and other party leaders, the message remained consistent: APC all the way.

Even in Lafia, the same message was reinforced. The Vice President did not mince words in reaffirming the party’s position. The campaign Director-General, Senator Yari, the National Chairman, and other speakers all maintained the same position. There was no ambiguity, no mixed signals, and certainly no room for a Rainbow Coalition narrative.

So, how can anyone reasonably expect a Rainbow Coalition to flourish in an atmosphere where the party’s most influential leaders are openly campaigning for an all-inclusive APC victory?

Anyone still dreaming that the Rainbow Coalition will be entertained in the APC should have a rethink. It is a dream that does not have any solid foundation.

But beyond the Rainbow Coalition nonsense, there is something else people need to understand about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He is not a selfish politician. He is a team player who understands the importance of collective political success. His political calculations go beyond his personal ambition.

There are those who believe that once President Tinubu secures his second-term victory, he may become indifferent to the political fortunes of APC governorship candidates, National Assembly candidates and other party candidates. I strongly disagree with that assumption.

President Tinubu is not that kind of politician. On the contrary, I believe his victory will further motivate him to work even harder towards ensuring that APC governorship and National Assembly candidates also secure their victories. He understands that a successful presidency requires a strong political family and a united party structure.

After all, what is the value of winning at the centre if the party suffers avoidable defeats across the states and in the National Assembly?

The President understands that politics is a collective enterprise. He knows that the strength of his government will, to a large extent, depend on the strength and stability of the APC across the country.

Indeed, if there is any situation in which President Tinubu might be less concerned about who wins or loses, it would be the unfortunate situation in which he himself loses the presidential election — something we certainly do not wish for. But as long as he remains the leader of the APC and is seeking victory, I believe he will be interested in the electoral fortunes of his party and its candidates at every level.

My advice to those nursing the Rainbow Coalition dream is simple: read the political signals correctly. Listen to the President’s repeated declarations, pay attention to the position of the APC leadership, and understand the direction in which the party is moving.

The message has been consistent from Kaduna to Lafia and across the campaign trail.

APC all the way, from top to bottom!

Let nobody mistake rainbow speculation for political reality. The Rainbow Coalition is just an attractive idea to its promoters, but it is not the direction that the APC leadership has projected, either publicly or privately.

I want my readers to take my words seriously. In politics, it is important not just to listen to what people are whispering in the streets but also to pay attention to what the major political actors are saying and demonstrating in public.

And right now, the message from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC leadership is loud and clear: the party is going for an all-round victory.