Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike
By Raji Rasak
Lagos, Jan.8, 2026 (NAN)
An All Progressives Congress (APC) Diaspora Chieftain, Mr Ayoola Lawal, has issued a pointed call for clarity, urging the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to explicitly define the purpose and ideology behind his repeated references to a “Rainbow Coalition.” This demand stems from the term’s potent and potentially problematic dual meaning in the global lexicon.
Lawal, a former Secretary of the Forum of APC Diaspora Chairmen, made this appeal in a detailed statement on Thursday. The call follows Wike’s recent political declaration that his “Rainbow Coalition” would become the dominant force in Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
While firmly supporting the democratic necessity of coalition-building, Lawal emphasized that political communication in Nigeria must be exceptionally sensitive to the nation’s socio-cultural and legal context. “In Nigeria, where the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act of 2014 is law and prevailing public sentiment is conservative, political leaders cannot afford linguistic ambiguity,” Lawal stated. “Symbols with entrenched global meanings, when introduced without explicit explanation, inevitably raise questions and can trigger unnecessary controversy.”
Deconstructing the ‘Rainbow’ Symbol: A Global Symbol Meets Local Realities
The core of Lawal’s concern lies in the symbolic weight of the rainbow. Globally, since the late 1970s, the rainbow flag has been the foremost symbol of LGBTQ+ pride and rights movements. Its adoption is near-universal in this context. In Nigeria, however, this symbolism directly conflicts with both legal statutes and dominant cultural and religious norms.
Lawal argues that Wike’s use of the term, without immediate and clear disambiguation, creates a political vulnerability and a communications failure. It risks:
- Misinterpretation: Allowing political opponents or skeptical citizens to frame the coalition as promoting a social agenda at odds with Nigerian values.
- Distraction: Shifting public discourse away from substantive issues like economic recovery, security, and institutional reforms, and toward a manufactured cultural debate.
- Erosion of Trust: Creating confusion about the coalition’s true intent, which could undermine its credibility before it even forms.
“The minister must clarify publicly, in unambiguous terms, that this ‘Rainbow Coalition’ is strictly a political machinery for electoral collaboration,” Lawal insisted. “It must be framed as a coming together of diverse political hues—not a vehicle for any foreign cultural or ideological import. This clarity is not just prudent; it is a responsibility of leadership.”
The Broader Political Canvas: Stability and the 2027 Elections
Lawal situated this call for clarity within the wider narrative of national stability and the Tinubu administration’s agenda. He urged Nigerians to rally behind President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which he described as a necessary, foundational reform program. “President Tinubu is taking difficult but structural decisions to reposition Nigeria. These reforms require patience, unity, and sustained support,” he said, explicitly endorsing a second term for the President to consolidate these policies.
He framed responsible communication as a cornerstone of this stability. “As we move toward 2027, Nigeria cannot afford policy reversals or political destabilization born of ambiguous rhetoric. The Renewed Hope Agenda is focused on rebuilding institutions and securing a better future. Political leaders nationwide must ensure their language prioritizes national interest over personal ambition and avoids sowing seeds of misinterpretation.”
In essence, Lawal’s statement transcends a simple request for definition. It is a commentary on the intersection of global political symbolism, local cultural sovereignty, and the high-stakes communication required in a complex democracy like Nigeria. The ball, as highlighted, is now in Minister Wike’s court to define his rainbow before others paint it with a brush of their own choosing. (NAN) www.nannews.ng
Edited by Vivian Ihechu
