The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, says no one can get any elective position in Rivers State if he is not in the Rainbow Coalition.

Wike made the assertion in Port Harcourt, the state capital, at a luncheon for candidates of the coalition.

He expressed gratitude to the 2023 All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in the state, Tonye Cole, for withdrawing from the Rivers APC governorship race and joining his camp.

The minister said, “If you want to be relevant in the politics of Rivers state, come and join the rainbow coalition. 

“If you’re not in the rainbow coalition, you can’t get any elective position in Rivers State from the Governor, to the Senate, House of Representatives, House of Assembly, and Local Government Chairmanship.

“Let me also thank Tonye Cole. He’s not here, but I spoke to our leader, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, that he should be in attendance at our next leadership meeting.”

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has warned party members against bitterness, careless remarks, unguided utterances, and anti-party activities that could jeopardise the party’s chances at the polls.

Oyintiloye also predicted victory for the party but appealed to members to close ranks and be more united ahead of the August 15 governorship poll in the state.

The APC chieftain made the appeal while speaking with journalists in Osogbo on Sunday, urging party leaders and elders in the state to urgently address every perceived grievance and dissatisfaction among members.

According to him, “victory for the APC in the election is non-negotiable, and any factor capable of hindering the party’s success should be tackled head-on.”

Oyintiloye said it would be a costly mistake for the party to go into the election divided, stressing that unity and a common purpose were essential for victory.

He added that all loopholes and grievances that could prolong the party’s stay in the opposition should be addressed without delay.

“The governorship election is fast approaching, and there is an urgent need for us to come together as one big family.

“There is no doubt that some party members may be aggrieved for one reason or another, but such grievances should be urgently addressed to further cement our impending victory.

“No divided house can win a battle. That is why I am appealing to all members to come together and resolve whatever differences we have. APC is cruising to victory,” he said.

He expressed confidence that with the support and guidance of Chief Bisi Akande, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, APC National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, former APC National Secretary, party elders and other stakeholders, Osun would return to progressive governance after the election.

Oyintiloye said the election would be won by the APC, adding that the electorate were eager to return the party to power in the state.

The Oyo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has lashed out at Governor Seyi Makinde over his comments on the security situation in the state, describing them as a misrepresentation of the constitutional responsibilities of state governors.

The state APC spokesman, Olawale Sadare, in a statement on Sunday, also rejected Makinde’s remarks that he was constrained in tackling insecurity because all security structures are controlled by the Federal Government.

Sadare described the governor’s comments as “a height of cluelessness, insincerity and criminal ineptitude,” adding that he should not shift responsibility for security challenges in the state.

The APC also asked Makinde to resign from office and allow his Deputy to complete the remaining one year of his tenure.

“Parochial leaders like Makinde pose a grave danger to the growth and development of the Nigerian society, and it is important for the electorate to avoid them in future elections,” the statement said.

Recall that Makinde, in his acceptance speech as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, in Ibadan on Saturday complained that there was little he could do to rescue the schoolchildren and other people abducted by bandits in the state, since he has no absolute control over all security agencies.