Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said he will not support Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma’s reported ambition to become President of the Senate. Wike made the declaration on Monday while appearing on TVC’s Journalists’ Hangout, on Monday, September 21, where he also accused the governor of……
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said he will not support Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma’s reported ambition to become President of the Senate.
Wike made the declaration on Monday while appearing on TVC’s Journalists’ Hangout, on Monday, September 21, where he also accused the governor of seeking to influence the emergence of lawmakers who could back his bid for the Senate presidency.
“This man’s office will expire in January 2028. Now, he wants to leave his office to run for senate. I will never support a character of Hope Uzodimma to be senate president of Nigeria,” Wike said.
The FCT minister alleged that Uzodimma’s political calculations were linked to the emergence of lawmakers who would support his ambition after he leaves office as governor.
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Wike’s comments came amid an ongoing disagreement between him and APC governors over the Rainbow Coalition, a cross-party political platform associated with his support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
The Progressive Governors Forum, chaired by Uzodimma, had earlier said its members would not support political arrangements capable of undermining Tinubu’s re-election bid, the APC or its candidates in the 2027 elections.
Wike has maintained that supporting Tinubu for president does not require politicians belonging to other parties to abandon their own candidates in legislative and state elections.
The minister has also criticised governors over what he described as attempts to influence the emergence of lawmakers who could advance their political interests after leaving office.
Uzodimma, who is expected to return to the Senate, has been linked to the contest for the Senate presidency in the next National Assembly.
The Senate amended its standing rules in May to require at least eight years of continuous service for senators seeking the offices of Senate President and Deputy Senate President.
The amendment also introduced stricter ranking requirements for presiding and principal offices.
