Ahead of the 2027 presidential election, divisions between some All Progressives Congress, APC, governors and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, are reportedly creating fresh concerns within the ruling party.
Sources within the APC told PUNCH that some party leaders and governors were considering their political options amid Wike’s activities and his support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 presidential bid.
The sources, who spoke anonymously because they were not authorised to comment publicly, said some APC stakeholders were uncomfortable with Wike’s criticism of certain governors and his political activities through the Rainbow Coalition.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State and a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, leader serving in the APC-led Federal Government, has been promoting the Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State while backing Tinubu for the presidency.
He recently alleged that Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma were behind some of the political difficulties he was facing.
Wike linked their opposition to the Rainbow Coalition, which he said was providing a platform for politicians seeking to challenge APC candidates in governorship and senatorial elections.
Uzodimma, who chairs the APC Progressive Governors’ Forum, subsequently said APC governors would not support any alliance capable of undermining Tinubu’s re-election or weakening the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said the governors remained committed to campaigning for APC candidates at all levels.
Wike, however, maintained that his support for Tinubu at the presidential level did not mean he had to support APC candidates in state elections. He said he remained free to back candidates of his choice.
An APC source said the situation had generated concern among some party leaders and governors, with some reportedly considering other political options.
Another source said some APC stakeholders viewed Wike’s activities as a challenge to Tinubu’s re-election prospects and were looking to President Tinubu to intervene.
The source said some party members were concerned about Wike’s repeated public criticism of governors and wanted the President to address the disagreement before it escalated.
PDP seeks Wike’s support
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, said the party would welcome Wike’s support for its presidential candidate, Senator Sandy Onor.
Mohammed said the PDP respected Wike’s constitutional rights and his decision to support Tinubu, but argued that his backing of the PDP candidate would strengthen the opposition party’s campaign.
He said the PDP planned to campaign across the country and seek support for Onor ahead of the 2027 election.
Meanwhile, the Publicity Secretary of the Tanimu Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee, Ini Ememobong, criticised the political realignment involving the Wike-backed PDP group and the APC.
He described both groups as “pretenders” and accused them of taking Nigerians for granted through the Rainbow Coalition.
APC awaits Tinubu’s position
Efforts by PUNCH to obtain a response from APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, were unsuccessful.
However, a senior party source said the APC National Working Committee was waiting for President Tinubu’s position before determining its next steps.
The source said previous attempts by the NWC to intervene in the Rivers political dispute involving Wike had produced negative results, making party leaders cautious about taking another step without presidential direction.
Analysts call for reconciliation
Former APC Organising Secretary, Eze Duru, said the President would need the support of governors and political groups outside the APC as the 2027 elections approach.
Duru said the administration had continued to receive support from politicians from different parties, including the PDP, Labour Party, APGA and Accord Party.
He said Wike had already committed himself to supporting Tinubu and argued that other political actors who share the President’s electoral objective would also be important.
Former President of the Nigerian Political Science Association, Professor Hassan Saliu, also said Tinubu would need to carefully manage his relationships with Wike and the APC governors.
Saliu said disagreements within the party could affect political support and urged efforts to prevent internal disputes from weakening the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said the President would need both Wike and the governors and should therefore manage the competing interests within the party carefully.
Source: PUNCH
