Tinubu may meet Wike, APC Governors abroad to resolve growing rift

President Bola Tinubu is expected to intervene in the growing disagreement between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

A senior presidential aide familiar with the development told Punch that the President was expected to engage the two sides in an effort to resolve their differences and prevent the dispute from affecting their shared political objectives.

The aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly, said the intervention could take place outside Nigeria before the end of the week.

President Tinubu is currently on vacation in France.

Wike, a former Rivers State governor and chieftain of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), currently serves as FCT minister under the APC-led Federal Government.

He has also been promoting the Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State, a political arrangement he has said is aimed at mobilising support for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

However, the coalition has generated tensions with some APC governors, who have expressed concerns that a structure established to support Tinubu’s presidential bid could also back candidates challenging APC candidates in governorship and legislative contests.

The disagreement became more pronounced after Wike accused Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma of leading opposition against his political activities.

Wike alleged that the governors were uncomfortable with the expansion of the Rainbow Coalition and its support for politicians seeking elective positions outside the APC.

Uzodimma, who chairs the Progressive Governors Forum, appeared to respond to the minister’s position following the forum’s meeting in Abuja on Monday.

The Imo governor said APC governors would not support any political arrangement that could weaken the party or undermine President Tinubu’s re-election bid.

“The APC Governors Forum unanimously resolved that its members will not participate in, support or endorse any alliance or political arrangement capable of undermining the re-election of Mr President, weakening the APC or adversely affecting any candidate of the party at all levels,” Uzodimma said.

He added that the governors’ campaign structures would focus on candidates fielded by the APC.

“The governors’ campaign commitment is exclusively to all APC candidates. All levels of the party campaign architecture will align with the expectations of Mr President and the strategic objectives of the party,” he said.

Wike, however, has maintained that the Rainbow Coalition was established specifically to support Tinubu’s presidential ambition and does not constitute an alliance with the APC.

According to him, supporting Tinubu for president does not require members of the coalition to support APC candidates in other elections.

The FCT minister has also criticised some APC governors, questioning their political strength and ability to deliver electoral victories in their respective states.

Wike argued that politicians should address their local electoral challenges independently rather than seeking to use Tinubu’s re-election campaign as a solution to those challenges.

Meanwhile, two APC leaders told Punch that the disagreement was not limited to the 2027 elections.

They alleged that political calculations surrounding the 2031 elections, the leadership of the 11th National Assembly and Wike’s support for candidates challenging some APC governors were also contributing to the growing tension.

A presidential aide said Tinubu, as the leader of the APC, was expected to step in before the disagreement escalated further.

According to the aide, both Wike and the APC governors were ultimately working towards supporting the President’s re-election, making reconciliation necessary.

“You know, the President is the leader of the party and the father of the nation. The interesting aspect is that the governors and the minister are all working in the interest of the President and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“So, of course, President Tinubu will intervene in the face-off between the All Progressives Congress governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory,” the aide said.

The source said the proposed intervention would seek to identify areas of agreement between the two sides and ensure that their political differences do not affect cooperation ahead of the 2027 elections.

“There will be an intervention to broker a truce and resolve whatever differences exist between them, ensuring that all parties work together ahead of the coming election.

“The intervention is likely to take place abroad before the end of the week,” the aide added.

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