Rainbow Coalition: Wike-Uzodimma rift splits APC Governors into camps

The growing disagreement between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and some All Progressives Congress (APC) governors has reportedly divided the party’s 31 state governors into different camps ahead of the 2027 general elections.

While some governors are said to remain sympathetic to Wike, others have reportedly aligned with the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, as well as the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

A senior party source, who spoke with Vanguard, said Wike still enjoyed the backing of some governors because of his longstanding relationships with them.

“I can tell you that not all the governors are opposed to the minister. Many of them were his friends before now. The minister was a governor too. Even if everyone turns against him, you know that he has the Adamawa governor and some others with him,” the source said.

According to Vanguard, findings indicated that Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo were among those reportedly sympathetic to Wike.

On the opposing side, Uzodimma and AbdulRazaq were said to have secured the support of Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun.

Some governors were, however, reportedly yet to take a definite position on the disagreement, with party sources suggesting that they were awaiting President Bola Tinubu’s return to the country before deciding where to stand.

Disagreement Over Rainbow Coalition

The dispute became public after the Progressive Governors’ Forum reportedly adopted a position at a closed-door meeting in Abuja, resolving that APC governors would support candidates officially nominated by the party for the 2027 elections.

The position was interpreted as a rejection of Wike’s Rainbow Coalition, which has been mobilising support for Tinubu’s re-election while backing candidates outside the APC in other electoral contests.

The governors were reportedly concerned that supporting different candidates in presidential, National Assembly and other elections could create confusion among voters and undermine the party’s electoral interests.

Wike, however, has rejected suggestions that his coalition poses a threat to the APC or its preparations for the next general elections.

The FCT minister has argued that the opposition from Uzodimma and AbdulRazaq is driven by other political considerations rather than concerns about the stability of the ruling party.

He has also linked the disagreement to political succession and broader calculations within the APC, including issues surrounding the leadership of the National Assembly.

Wike has separately criticised AbdulRazaq over political developments in Kwara State, accusing the governor of repeatedly blaming him for challenges within the state.

Tinubu’s Return Expected to Shape Party Discussions

The widening disagreement has reportedly prompted some APC leaders to call for restraint and increased internal engagement to prevent the dispute from affecting the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections.

With President Tinubu currently outside the country, party sources said his return would be closely watched as the leadership seeks to manage competing interests surrounding Wike’s coalition and the APC governors.

The reported divisions highlight the competing political calculations within the ruling party as stakeholders position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, the extent of support for either camp has not been independently established, and the reported alignments remain based on party sources cited by Vanguard.

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