The growing disagreement between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and some governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress has reportedly divided the party’s 31 state governors into different camps.
While some governors are said to be sympathetic to Wike, others have rallied behind the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, as well as the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
A senior APC source told Vanguard that Wike still had the support of some governors because of his previous 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 the report, Adamawa Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno, Edo Governor Monday Okpebholo, Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Kogi Governor Ahmed Ododo are among those said to be sympathetic to Wike.
On the other side, Uzodimma and AbdulRazaq are reportedly backed by Kaduna Governor Uba Sani and Ogun Governor Dapo Abiodun in opposing Wike’s position.
Some governors, however, are said to be yet to take sides, with party sources indicating that they are waiting for President Bola Tinubu to return to the country before deciding their positions.
The disagreement became public after the Progressive Governors’ Forum took a position following a closed-door meeting in Abuja.
The forum, chaired by Uzodimma, reportedly resolved that APC governors would support only candidates officially nominated by the party in the 2027 elections.
The position was seen 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 elections.
The governors were reportedly concerned that supporting different candidates in presidential, National Assembly and other elections could confuse voters and affect the party’s electoral interests.
Wike, however, has rejected the suggestion that his political coalition poses a threat to the APC.
The FCT minister has argued that opposition from Uzodimma and AbdulRazaq was 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 other calculations within the APC, including 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 political challenges in the state.
The widening disagreement has prompted calls from some APC leaders for restraint and greater internal engagement to prevent the dispute from affecting the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections.
With Tinubu currently outside the country, party sources said attention would be focused on his return as the APC leadership seeks to manage the competing interests surrounding Wike’s coalition and the governors.
