By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Benue State Chairman of a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Austin Agada, says Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has not given the multi-party Rainbow Coalition sufficient reason to support his re-election bid in 2027.

Agada, who spoke in Makurdi on the role of the coalition in Benue politics, explained that it was established to mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 and was open to political parties committed to the cause.

He said, “As the name implies, the Rainbow Coalition is a voluntary organisation of political parties coming together in the belief in one thing, and that is the re-election of Mr President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces in the 2027 election.

“The Rainbow Coalition comprises members of political parties, whether the APC, PDP, CNPP, NDC, among others, in Nigeria that believe in this cause.

“It is under the leadership of Nyesom Wike as the president and leader of this movement, that is why you have me, as the State Chairman of APC in Benue State, who believes strongly in the re-election of Mr President, standing boldly and declaring Nyesom Wike as our leader as far as this movement is concerned.

“Having all these political parties is a plus for my party, the APC. That is why we are standing and accepting this direction by welcoming all political parties that support the President’s re-election,” he said.

On whether the coalition would also influence politics at the state level, Agada said its support would depend on how political leaders positioned themselves to benefit from the movement.

“Any state or any governor in any state that understands what the Rainbow Coalition is and has paid his dues for the coalition to adopt him and support him for re-election, or support whoever he is backing to succeed him, would take advantage of the Rainbow Coalition and make good use of it,” he said.

Agada declared that members of political parties in Benue had joined the coalition, adding that its membership was not restricted to the APC.

“Members of all political parties in Benue are in this coalition. All, without exception,” he said.

Asked whether the coalition would support Governor Alia’s re-election, the APC chairman said the governor had not engaged the group or given the party sufficient reason to back him.

“He has not engaged the coalition. The coalition doesn’t know him. He has not done anything to give us a reason for the coalition, even members of his own party, the APC, to support him.

“When he gives that reason to his party, if we have any questions to ask him, we will ask him. If there is no reason, then he should forget about it,” Agada declared.