Kwara Accord Party Questions Rainbow Coalition's 2027 Electoral Impact

The Kwara State chapter of the Accord Party has voiced its belief that the Rainbow Coalition will not achieve substantial electoral success in the state during the upcoming 2027 general elections. The party asserted that this alliance is deficient in both grassroots backing and a well-defined political agenda necessary to gain the trust of the electorate. This stance was formally communicated in a statement released on Sunday by Olamilekan Esinrogunjo, the party's State Publicity Secretary, a document which PUNCH Online acquired in Ilorin.

Addressing the new political realignments emerging in anticipation of the elections, the Accord Party criticized the coalition's approach, characterizing it as an arrangement primarily motivated by the interests of political elites and personal rivalries, rather than a unified vision for governance. The party specifically raised concerns regarding the coalition's stance on the 2027 presidential and gubernatorial contests. It contended that the perceived contradiction of operating as an opposition force within Kwara while simultaneously endorsing President Bola Tinubu at the national level could erode its standing with the voting public.

A section of the party's statement highlighted this point, stating, “You cannot claim to be opposition in Kwara and, at the same time, ask the same people to support the APC at the presidential level. That contradiction is one of the fundamental problems of the Rainbow Coalition.”

Furthermore, the opposition party rejected the notion that the defection of notable politicians between parties would automatically secure electoral backing. It maintained that collaborations among influential personalities do not inherently mirror the choices of average citizens. The statement further elaborated, “They can make noise here and there. Politicians can move from one party to another, but votes do not move automatically with them. An alliance of politicians is not necessarily an alliance of voters.”

The party contended that the coalition’s strategy of depending on prominent political figures and past public officials to garner support for the Saraki political dynasty was improbable to yield the desired electoral success, especially without a well-defined agenda designed to tackle the issues concerning voters.

The Accord Party highlighted that the Rainbow Coalition has so far failed to articulate any substantive proposals for the populace beyond mere political restructuring. This failure, according to the party, raises serious questions regarding the coalition's fundamental objectives and the policy framework it would implement if it were to secure victory. The party explicitly queried, “What is the Rainbow Coalition offering Kwarans beyond political realignment? Is it an opposition platform, a vehicle for supporting the President, a return to the defeated dynasty or simply an arrangement among politicians seeking new political opportunities?”

The Accord Party firmly asserted that the determining factors for the 2027 elections would be the capacity of political parties and their aspirants to engage with voters through verifiable manifestoes, robust grassroots outreach, and effective solutions to the state's problems, rather than solely relying on endorsements or cross-party movements. It underscored that the ultimate decision regarding the election results rests with the people of Kwara, cautioning political stakeholders against presuming that voter support can be automatically transferred via alliances involving well-known politicians.

“Kwara is not anybody’s political inheritance. The people own their votes, and they will decide who gets their mandate,” the party declared.

Esinrogunjo, the party's spokesperson, additionally characterized the Accord Party as a platform presenting a fresh path for Kwara State. He affirmed the party's dedication to a style of politics guided by policy and extensive grassroots mobilization, spanning from the presidential contests down to the State House of Assembly elections. He implored the electorate to look past mere political shifts and alliances, instead advocating for the evaluation of parties and candidates based on their stated manifestoes, past performance in public roles, proposed policy initiatives, and demonstrated ability to resolve the state's pressing issues.

The Rainbow Coalition represents one of several political alignments forming in anticipation of the 2027 elections. Its actual electoral viability will likely be determined by how effectively its constituent political figures can translate their individual influence into tangible votes throughout Kwara State.