Wike Raises Alarm Over APC Governors’ Plot Against Him

By Marian Alekhue

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused some governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of working against him politically ahead of the 2027 general elections, even as he reaffirmed his commitment to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Wike made the allegation on Wednesday during a media chat in which he disclosed that some APC governors were more interested in demonstrating their loyalty to Tinubu than maintaining political relationships with him.

The former Rivers State governor specifically mentioned Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and his Imo State counterpart, Hope Uzodinma, while discussing his strained relationships with some APC governors.

According to Wike, some politicians were overly concerned about being seen as the President’s closest allies.

“You see, the problem with people, they want them to be seen, that they are the people working for the President. I don’t do that,” he said.

Asked if he was referring to AbdulRazaq, Wike responded in the affirmative.

He alleged that the Kwara governor had been at the forefront of what he described as a campaign against him, particularly over accusations that he was sponsoring political candidates in the state.

Wike also questioned the political consequences of the recent removal of three senators and a member of the House of Representatives from the APC, arguing that the affected lawmakers could be forced to seek alternative political platforms ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Now, these senators you removed, you have no place for them. Therefore, do you prefer them to go to ADC or to go to NDC?” he asked.

The FCT minister argued that allowing such politicians to defect to opposition parties could ultimately work against Tinubu’s re-election prospects.

He maintained that politicians who joined opposition platforms such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) or the National Democratic Congress (NDC) could be mobilised against the President, whereas those who remained aligned with him would be more likely to support Tinubu.

“Now, if they come to me, obviously, they will vote for Mr President,” Wike said.

The minister dismissed allegations that he was strategically planting candidates in various states, insisting that some governors had themselves approached him over concerns about the activities of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said he had questioned the basis for any understanding that supporting Tinubu should automatically prevent the PDP from fielding candidates in the 2027 elections.

“I said, ‘Ah, in any case, did I reach any agreement that, look, now that we are supporting Mr President, PDP will not have any candidate anywhere?’” he said.

Wike also addressed reports of a political disagreement with Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, insisting that the governor was fully aware of the support he had received from him in the past.

“The governor of Imo State knows the support I gave to him very well,” Wike stated.

Despite the apparent political differences with some APC governors, Wike said his principal concern remained the re-election of President Tinubu in 2027.

He argued that abandoning Tinubu could have serious political consequences for him, particularly if the President loses the election.

Wike warned that opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, could target politicians who actively supported Tinubu if the President were defeated.

“But you see, in politics, I’m not a threat. My concern is, I will support Mr President. If you watch what’s happening today and look at it, peradventure anything happens and Mr President fails today, I will be the first politician that Atiku, Obi will hunt for his head.

“I will be the first politician. I challenge anybody. So, I won’t make that mistake, to be sleeping to see the President lose his election. No,” he said.

Wike’s remarks further expose the emerging political fault lines ahead of the 2027 elections, with his continued support for Tinubu putting him at odds with sections of the PDP while also highlighting tensions between him and some APC governors.