The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has accused governors elected under the All Progressives Congress of placing their personal political interests above their stated commitment to President Bola Tinubu.
Wike made the allegation while reacting to the growing resistance from APC governors toward the Rainbow Coalition, a political arrangement he has been associated with ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during an interview with Arise News on Tuesday, the former Rivers State governor questioned the timing of the governors’ opposition, asking why concerns about the coalition were only becoming prominent several months before the next general elections.
He argued that the governors’ position was not necessarily motivated by a desire to strengthen Tinubu’s presidential campaign, but by concerns about protecting their own political interests and candidates.
Wike also directed criticism at Imo State Governor and Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodinma, over his position on the emerging political arrangement.
The FCT minister accused Uzodinma of mishandling affairs within the ruling party, describing some of his actions as unacceptable.
Wike maintained that Uzodinma would not have attempted to dictate his political decisions if he were a member of the APC, insisting that he had never sought instructions from the governors concerning his political choices.
According to him, his decision to back Tinubu has remained consistent since the 2023 presidential election and should not be confused with an intention to become a member of the APC.
Wike stressed that although he has publicly declared his support for Tinubu’s bid to retain the presidency in 2027, he has never promised to defect to the ruling party.
He said his political relationship with the President was based on his personal conviction and that he had made his position known from the beginning.
“I said I will support the President from day one. I never told Mr. President I will join APC. Go and ask him,” Wike stated.
The minister further argued that if he eventually decided to join the APC, the decision would be his personal choice and would not be determined by Uzodinma or other members of the governors’ forum.
Wike then took a direct swipe at the Imo governor, saying Uzodinma should consider himself fortunate that he was not an APC member because he would not accept what he described as inappropriate conduct within the party.
“If I want to join APC, it’s not people like Hope who will tell me to join APC. In fact, he is lucky I’m not in APC because I wouldn’t take that kind of rubbish he is doing in APC,” he said.
Wike added that rather than opposing his political activities, APC governors should appreciate the fact that he had chosen to support Tinubu despite remaining outside the ruling party.
The dispute comes against the backdrop of wider political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 elections, with different political actors attempting to establish alliances and structures across party lines.
APC governors have repeatedly maintained that their priority is to protect the interests of the party and ensure that candidates contesting under its platform receive adequate support during the elections.
Wike, however, has continued to distinguish his support for Tinubu from allegiance to the APC, maintaining that backing the President at the presidential level does not require him or other politicians to abandon their existing political affiliations.
His latest comments further expose the differences between his political strategy and the position of APC governors as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.
