Group Alleges Wike’s Rainbow Coalition With Benue Powerful Figures Plot Against Alia

A group under auspices of Benue Alliance for Good Governance and Accountability (BAGA) has alleged political arrangement involving prominent political figures to influence the outcome of the 2027 Benue State governorship election against governor Hyacinth Alia.

The group claimed that there is ongoing secret political negotiations involving Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume and former governor, Samuel Ortom to favour the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Michael Aondoakaa (SAN).

In a statement issued by its President, Chief John Terfa, the group alleged that Wike was involved in discussions with Akume, and Ortom over a proposed political alliance reportedly known as the “Rainbow Coalition”.

BAGA further claimed that Wike was seeking political control over five states under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as part of the proposed arrangement to deliver President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, “with Benue reportedly among the states being considered to hand over to Wike through the Rainbow Coalition”

The group also said the alleged discussions were aimed at securing the emergence of former Attorney General of the Federation, Michael Aondoakaa, as a preferred governorship candidate in Benue under the proposed coalition.

BAGA questioned why political actors from outside Benue should have a decisive influence over who governs the state, arguing that the choice of governor must remain with the electorate.

“Benue is not a political commodity to be traded behind closed doors in Abuja. The people of the state must have the final say on who governs them and the direction their state takes,” the group said.

The organisation alleged that Wike had held a series of meetings with Akume and Ortom in recent weeks to discuss the reported arrangement.

BAGA rejected what it described as an attempt to determine Benue’s political leadership through negotiations among powerful individuals, insisting that Governor Hyacinth Alia should be allowed to complete his constitutionally permitted tenure, if re-elected in 2027.

The group said it believed Alia’s administration was performing well in governance and development, adding that political alliances should not be used to undermine the democratic choices of the electorate.

BAGA argued that any coalition seeking to influence the 2027 election should be based on transparent principles, competence, accountability and the interests of the people, rather than personal ambition or political bargaining in Abuja.

The group also challenged political actors seeking the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to pursue their ambitions without attaching conditions that could compromise the democratic choices of the voters.

“Benue people are politically conscious. They will not surrender their future to a coalition of political interests formed without their consent,” the statement said.

The statement called on voters, civil society groups and political stakeholders to remain vigilant and defend the state’s democratic rights ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Whatever colour it is given; Rainbow, PDP or otherwise, the people will reject any arrangement that threatens their collective interests and development,” BAGA said.

“Benue is not Rivers and we will not allow Wike from Rivers State to choose a governor for us in Benue State,” the group added.

Reacting, the PDP governorship candidate in Benue State, Michael Aondoakaa’s Media Consultant, Dr Terver Akase, dismissed the allegations stating that there was no such meetings.

According to Akase, “Whoever manufactured that lie from the pit of hell is surely panicking ahead of 2027 because there is no such conspiracy. There is no such a discussion. Chief Michael Aondoakaa has offered himself to Benue people to be voted on the strengths of his experience, his capacity, and the ideas he is putting out there for the people of Benue to trust him”

“So he can come in and correct the anomalies that are going on currently in the government of Benue State. Aondoakaa is getting enormous popularity. Benue people are loving his project. Many more people are joining his train. And that is sending jitters to the camp of those who are afraid of his candidacy. So all of these conspiracy theories are targeted at making the people not to believe in his project. So those who are manufacturing those lies are just jittery”