2027: Wike accuses some APC governors of working against him

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr Nyesom Wike, has accused some governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of working against him ahead of the 2027 general elections, even as he reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu.

Wike made the allegations on Wednesday during his routine monthly media chat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, monitored in Abuja.

He specifically named the governors of Kwara and Imo states, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Hope Uzodimma, respectively.

Speaking on his relationship with APC governors, Wike said some of them were more interested in being seen as the President’s key supporters than in actual political work.

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

When asked if he was referring to the Kwara governor, Wike replied: “Yes.”

He accused AbdulRazaq of leading a campaign against him over allegations that he was sponsoring political candidates in Kwara State.

Wike said the removal of three senators and a member of the House of Representatives from the APC had created a political dilemma for the governor, adding that the affected lawmakers could defect to other parties ahead of 2027.

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

He argued that politicians who defect to opposition parties like the African Democratic Congress (ADC) or National Democratic Congress (NDC) could work against President Tinubu, while those who align with him would support the President.

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

Wike also spoke on his reported disagreement with Uzodimma, insisting that the Imo governor was aware of the support he received from him in the past.

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

The FCT Minister also dismissed claims that he was planting PDP candidates across states.

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He said some APC governors had approached him to prevent the PDP from fielding candidates in their states ahead of 2027.

“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 asked.

Despite the disagreements, Wike said his priority remained the re-election of President Tinubu in 2027. He warned that failing to support the President could make him a target of political retaliation.

“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, peradventure anything happens and Mr President fails, 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.