A member of the House of Representatives, Abdulmumini Jibrin Kofa, has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) needs the political influence of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike more than Wike needs the governing party.
Kofa made the statement while commenting on the ongoing political disagreements between Wike and some APC governors ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has remained involved in political discussions surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid despite not being an APC member.
Kofa argued that Wike’s political relevance should not be underestimated, particularly given his influence and experience in Nigerian politics.
The lawmaker’s comments come amid growing disagreement between Wike and the APC Governors’ Forum over the minister’s proposed Rainbow Coalition.
Wike has maintained that the coalition is primarily focused on supporting Tinubu’s re-election, while members may support candidates of their choice in governorship and legislative contests.
His position has drawn opposition from APC governors, who have said they would not support political arrangements capable of weakening the party or affecting its candidates at various levels.
The Progressive Governors Forum, led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, has maintained that APC structures should remain focused on the party’s candidates.
Wike, however, has pointed to the 2023 elections to argue that politicians can support a presidential candidate while backing candidates from other parties in state and legislative elections.
He has also accused some APC governors of resisting the Rainbow Coalition because of their political interests ahead of the next National Assembly leadership contests. Wike specifically criticised Uzodimma over what he described as an alleged ambition to become Senate President after leaving office.
Uzodimma has not publicly accepted the allegation as stated by Wike.
The disagreement has added to the political realignments emerging ahead of the 2027 elections, with various parties and political figures positioning themselves around presidential and other electoral contests.
Wike has repeatedly said his current political focus is supporting Tinubu’s re-election while retaining the freedom to work with politicians across party lines.
The APC, meanwhile, has continued to emphasise party loyalty and the need for its candidates and structures to remain coordinated ahead of the elections.
Kofa’s remarks therefore come against the backdrop of an unresolved question over how Wike’s political activities and the APC’s organisational interests will coexist as preparations for 2027 intensify.
The former Rivers governor remains a prominent figure in the political discussions surrounding the administration, while the APC continues to manage internal disagreements over campaign strategy, party structures and the role of political alliances.
