RismadarVoice Reporters
September 24, 2026
A political disagreement involving Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and some governors of the All Progressives Congress has reportedly divided the ruling party’s governors into different camps ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The disagreement centres partly on Wike’s political coalition and concerns among some APC governors over its involvement in supporting candidates outside the ruling party.
Party sources said some governors were sympathetic to Wike’s position, while others were aligned with Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo were reported to be sympathetic to Wike’s position.
Uzodimma and AbdulRazaq, alongside Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, were reported to be among those opposed to the minister’s position.
These alignments have not been publicly confirmed by all the governors named.
Some governors are also said to have avoided taking a position while awaiting President Bola Tinubu’s return to Nigeria.
The disagreement intensified following reports that the Progressive Governors’ Forum resolved at a closed-door meeting to support only candidates officially presented by the APC in the 2027 elections.
The position was reportedly prompted by concerns over Wike’s Rainbow Coalition and its support for candidates contesting on the platforms of other political parties.
Wike has rejected suggestions that opposition to the coalition is primarily about protecting the APC from political instability.
He has instead accused Uzodimma and AbdulRazaq of having other political reasons for opposing his activities.
The FCT minister also disclosed that his political camp had developed a strategy for the 2027 presidential election involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.
Reflecting on the 2023 presidential election, Wike said the Peoples Democratic Party’s G5 governors deliberately encouraged support for Obi in parts of the South-South as part of a strategy to reduce votes available to Atiku.
“Our strategy was to make sure that you vote for Obi to win and deny Atiku the votes,” Wike said.
He maintained that Atiku, rather than Obi, was considered the major political threat to the G5’s interests during that election.
Wike said a strategy had also been developed for the 2027 election but declined to disclose its details.
“We have our strategy in this election, and whether you like it or not, it’s not for us to let the cat out of the bag,” he said.
The minister also reaffirmed his support for Tinubu’s re-election, saying that after supporting him in 2023, he would not back another presidential candidate against him in 2027.
Wike, however, maintained that his presidential position should not prevent the PDP from fielding candidates for governorship and other elections at the sub-national level.
The dispute has placed renewed attention on political relationships within the ruling party and Wike’s continued involvement in PDP politics while serving as a minister in Tinubu’s administration.
