‘They are politically lazy’ — Wike fires back at APC Govs over Rainbow Coalition

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has described governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as “politically lazy” over their opposition to his “Rainbow Coalition” ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The governors, led by their chairman and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, had said they would not participate in, support or endorse any alliance capable of undermining President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid or affecting APC candidates at any level.

Wike, however, dismissed the concerns in an interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time on Tuesday, arguing that his decision to support Tinubu did not mean he had abandoned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or agreed that other political parties should not field candidates.

“They are politically lazy. When you have your local problems, don’t use Mr President as your excuse,” Wike said.

The minister maintained that disagreements over his political activities did not begin with his support for Tinubu, recalling that he had faced opposition while serving as Rivers State governor and later 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 said his understanding of the political situation was greater than that of some of those criticising his activities, suggesting that his critics would have a better appreciation of his position if they had access to the information available to him.

“If they know what I know, they would not come out to shout,” he said.

The former Rivers State governor also insisted that his support for Tinubu remained unchanged, arguing that backing the President was separate from the activities 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 further cited the political situations in Anambra, Osun and Abia states, where Governors Chukwuma Soludo, Ademola Adeleke and Alex Otti belong to different political parties, respectively.

Wike argued that supporting a presidential candidate should not prevent political parties from presenting candidates for governorship and legislative elections.

“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.

The FCT minister also recalled the 2023 presidential election, saying his decision to support Tinubu was based on his belief that it was the South’s turn to produce the President 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 come amid a growing disagreement between Wike and APC governors over the political strategy being adopted ahead of the 2027 elections.

While Wike has maintained that his coalition’s support is focused on Tinubu’s re-election, the APC governors have expressed concern that alliances operating across party lines could weaken the ruling party or affect its candidates in other elections.

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