A former South-East spokesman for President Bola Tinubu, Denge Josef Onoh, has urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to either formally join the All Progressives Congress (APC) or stop interfering in the affairs of the ruling party.

Onoh, who is also Chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, made the call while criticising the political alliance being promoted by Wike ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Describing the emerging alliance as a “Rainbow Coalition,” Onoh said it was a “toxic distraction” and a “Trojan horse” capable of creating divisions within the APC and weakening the party ahead of the presidential election.

According to him, the coalition lacks the political structure and electoral strength required to deliver significant votes to President Tinubu outside Rivers State, where Wike’s political influence is considered strongest.

“This so-called ‘Rainbow Coalition’ is a toxic distraction, a political mirage, and a well-calculated vehicle for personal ambition that will ultimately undermine the All Progressives Congress and jeopardise the presidential election if left unchecked,” Onoh said.

The former presidential aide also dismissed comparisons between Wike’s current political alignment and the G5 governors’ alliance that emerged ahead of the 2023 elections.

He noted that the G5 consisted of five serving governors who controlled established political structures in their respective states and were driven largely by regional interests.

Onoh argued that Wike’s current coalition did not possess a similar institutional structure or electoral reach.

He described the alliance as a “desperate collection of political castaways, disgruntled ex-office holders, and floating political contractors” without significant electoral influence.

The former lawmaker also criticised Wike over his recent disagreements with Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma.

According to him, the disputes could be part of an attempt to create tensions within APC structures in parts of the North-Central and South-East.

Onoh accused Wike of using tactics similar to those he alleged contributed to divisions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He further rejected the idea of supporting Tinubu for president while backing opposition candidates for National Assembly positions.

He argued that such an arrangement could undermine the APC's ability to secure a strong legislative majority because the presidential and parliamentary elections are conducted simultaneously.

“We cannot exchange a robust, organic party victory for a transactional arrangement,” he said.

Onoh, who recalled his involvement in political realignments in the South-East, said such arrangements often had consequences for those involved.

He urged APC stakeholders to resist any attempt to establish a parallel political structure within the ruling party.

Onoh also called on Wike to clearly declare his political allegiance if he intends to continue participating in the affairs of the APC.

“Our position is simple: either Nyesom Wike fully, formally and unconditionally registers as a card-carrying member of the APC at his political ward, or he must step aside immediately,” he said.

He maintained that the APC already possesses sufficient structures and grassroots support across the country to secure President Tinubu’s re-election without what he described as Wike’s “damaging, self-serving distractions.”