The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has alleged that governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are unhappy with his appointment as FCT minister.

Wike made the allegation on Tuesday while reacting to the opposition of the APC Governors’ Forum to his emerging Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time, the former Rivers State governor claimed that the disagreement between him and some APC governors dates back to his appointment into President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.

“All these things you are seeing didn’t start today, it started with the ministerial position. They are not happy, APC Governors, that I was given the Minister of FCT,” Wike said.Political party analysis

He also accused some APC governors of misleading Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers state during the political crisis that rocked the state.

According to Wike, the governors collected support from Fubara but failed to secure a second-term ticket for him.

“During the crisis with my Governor, Fubara, they misled my governor. They couldn’t give the governor a second term,” he said.

The minister further questioned the authority of governors to determine political alliances and candidates beyond their respective parties.

He cited the political support being expressed by some state governors for Tinubu as an example, arguing that such support does not necessarily prevent them from backing candidates of other parties in legislative elections.

“Now what is the crisis of sponsoring candidates? Soludo is supporting President Tinubu, does it mean he won’t support APGA candidates for the National Assembly elections?” Wike asked.

“Governor Adeleke is supporting the president. Does it mean he won’t support Accord National Assembly candidates? Alex Otti is supporting President Tinubu from what he said. Does it mean the Labour Party won’t have National Assembly candidates?”

Wike also challenged the APC governors’ argument that the Rainbow Coalition could undermine Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.Political party analysis

He referenced the 2023 presidential election results in states such as Imo, Ebonyi, Abia and Enugu, arguing that APC’s performance in those states was not determined solely by the activities of opposition alliances.

“Uzodimma was the governor of Imo State, but Tinubu was not able to get 10% of the votes from his state. Even in Ebonyi State, the same thing happened,” he said.

“Was it Rainbow Coalition that also made APC win National Assembly elections in Ebonyi, Abia and Enugu States, where the President did not have ten percent of the votes?”Nigerian political news

Wike’s comments came shortly after the APC Governors’ Forum rejected political alliances it believes could weaken the party or its candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.

The forum, chaired by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, reached the resolution at a closed-door meeting in Abuja amid growing political activities around Wike and the Rainbow Coalition.

Uzodimma said the governors would not participate in or endorse any political arrangement capable of undermining Tinubu’s re-election, weakening the APC or affecting the party’s candidates.

“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 reelection of Mr. President, weakening the APC, or adversely affecting any candidate of the party at all levels,” Uzodimma said.Political party analysis