Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has accused the governors of Imo and Kwara states, Hope Uzodinma and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, of working against him politically despite the support he said he had previously given them.
Wike made the allegation during a media interaction in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he spoke extensively about his political activities and preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The former Rivers State governor singled out AbdulRazaq, accusing him of leading what he described as a campaign against him in Kwara State.
Wike said he had confronted the Kwara governor over the matter and questioned why AbdulRazaq would oppose him after he had allegedly supported him politically in the past.
According to Wike, AbdulRazaq had accused him of sponsoring candidates against the governor’s preferred candidates in Kwara.
The FCT minister, however, maintained that his political actions were aimed at providing opportunities for politicians who had become dissatisfied with the APC, rather than undermining the interests of President Bola Tinubu.
Wike also recalled his relationship with Uzodinma, saying the Imo governor was aware of the support he had received from him in the past.
Despite the disagreements, Wike insisted that his primary political objective remained securing Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
He said personal disputes with individual governors would not distract him from supporting the President, stressing that he had never hidden his political position.
The minister’s comments come amid growing tensions within the ruling political establishment as different political interests position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
Wike has been leading a political coalition involving opposition figures while simultaneously declaring his support for Tinubu, an arrangement that has generated criticism among some APC governors and political actors.
Some APC governors have reportedly expressed concerns that the coalition could affect the party’s performance in legislative elections by creating competing voting patterns among supporters of the President.
The concern stems from the coalition’s decision to support candidates contesting National Assembly seats under the PDP while backing Tinubu for the presidency.
Wike, however, has remained unapologetic about his strategy, arguing that his political decisions are based on his assessment of Nigeria’s interests and the need to secure Tinubu’s return to office.
He also recalled the role he and his allies played during the 2023 presidential election, claiming that their strategy helped prevent Atiku Abubakar from securing stronger support in parts of the South.
Looking ahead to 2027, Wike predicted that Tinubu would retain significant support across northern Nigeria and argued that opposition candidates would struggle to secure substantial votes in some southern states.
He also said he was prepared to bear the political consequences of his support for Tinubu, declaring that he expected opposition politicians to target him if they eventually defeat the President.
Wike’s latest comments further highlight the complex political alliances emerging ahead of the 2027 elections, with politicians forming partnerships that do not always correspond with traditional party structures.
As the election approaches, disagreements among governors, party leaders and political blocs are expected to intensify as competing interests seek to shape the outcome of the presidential and legislative contests.
