ABUJA — Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has described governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as “politically lazy” over their opposition to his proposed Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The APC governors, led by their chairman and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, had stated that they would neither participate in, support nor endorse any political alliance capable of undermining President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid or affecting APC candidates contesting elections at various levels.
Wike, however, dismissed the governors’ concerns during an interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time on Tuesday, arguing that his decision to support President Tinubu did not mean he had abandoned his political party or supported efforts to prevent other political parties from fielding candidates.
“They are politically lazy. When you have your local problems, don’t use Mr President as your excuse,” Wike said.
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The minister maintained that disagreements over his political activities predated his decision to support Tinubu, recalling that he had faced criticism during his tenure as governor of Rivers State and subsequently as FCT minister.
“This thing did not start today. It started at ministerial position. They were not happy that I was Minister of FCT. Also, they were unhappy when I was governor,” he said.
Wike further suggested that his critics lacked access to some of the information available to him, arguing that they would have a different understanding of his position if they knew what he knew about the political situation.
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“If they know what I know, they would not come out to shout,” he said.
The former Rivers State governor reiterated that his support for President Tinubu remained unchanged, stressing that backing the President was separate from the activities and electoral interests of his political party.
“I have said I will support the President and I am still supporting him. What has that got to do with my party?” Wike asked.
He also cited the political situations involving Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and Abia State Governor Alex Otti to argue that supporting a presidential candidate does not necessarily prevent political parties from fielding candidates for other elective positions.
“Take Soludo, Adeleke and Otti. Does it mean that their parties will not present other candidates? This thing they are saying does not have any basis,” he said.
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Wike also revisited the 2023 presidential election, explaining that his decision to support Tinubu was influenced by his belief that the presidency should return to the southern part of the country after the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Recall that in 2023, as far as the President is concerned, it is my belief that it was the time of the South and so it would be unfair that it goes back to the North,” he said.
The latest comments add to the growing political debate ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly over the relationship between Wike’s political activities, his continued support for Tinubu and the interests of the parties expected to participate in the election.
