Justice Osai Ahiakwo, a constitutional lawyer and public analyst, has opened a sharp critique of the promoters of the Rainbow Coalition, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. In an article titled "When Political Loyalty Becomes a Casualty of Electoral Convenience," he argued that the coalition’s decision to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re‑election raises serious questions about party discipline, internal democracy, and constitutional compliance.
Key facts and timeline
- The lawyer’s commentary was triggered by a presidential rally organised by the coalition at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt on November 7, 2026.
- He highlighted that several participants, notably figures from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), belong to a party that already fields its own presidential candidate, Senator Sandy Ojang Onor.
- Ahiakwo cited Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of association, but stressed that this right does not exempt party members from obligations imposed by their parties’ constitutions.
- He referenced two Supreme Court decisions: Onuoha v. Okafor (1983) and Isah Shuaibu Lau v. PDP & Ors. (2018), which reinforce the duty of political parties to operate within established rules.
- The lawyer questioned whether individual leaders can commit their parties to presidential alliances without obtaining the approvals required by their respective constitutions.
- He warned that allowing parties to retain their candidates while campaigning for another party’s candidate could weaken party identity and confuse voters.
Legal basis and concerns
Ahiakwo explained that while political alliances and realignments are not inherently unconstitutional, they must be backed by proper authorisation from the relevant organs of participating parties. He pointed out the apparent contradiction where ordinary members could face sanctions for anti‑party activities while influential leaders engage in similar arrangements without scrutiny.
Implications for the electorate
He urged that the coalition be subjected to scrutiny over its authority, transparency, and obligations to the electorate, rather than being treated as a convenient political arrangement driven by the ambitions of a few influential leaders. The lawyer emphasized that democratic cooperation must be built on transparent agreements, constitutional authority, and clearly defined political obligations, stressing that democracy requires consistency, accountability, and respect for voters.
> "My concern is not that politicians should be denied the freedom to form > alliances or pursue political realignments. It is that political convenience > must not be allowed to erode institutional discipline, weaken party identity > or confuse the electorate," he said.
The commentary adds to an ongoing debate about the boundaries of cross‑party cooperation in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape, with observers watching to see whether the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will intervene to clarify the rules governing such coalitions.
Justice Osai Ahiakwo – constitutional lawyer and public analyst
Nyesom Wike – Minister of the Federal Capital Territory
Rainbow Coalition – political group supporting President Bola Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu – President of Nigeria
Independent National Electoral Commission – Nigeria’s electoral authority