The All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership in the South-East has rejected the political “Rainbow Coalition” being promoted by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
This was just as the party declared that it will resist any move capable of weakening its structures ahead of the 2027 elections.
The South-East APC leaders also threw their weight behind the Progressive Governors’ Forum, led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, following Wike’s recent criticism of APC governors opposed to his proposed political arrangement.
Their position was contained in a joint statement signed by the APC National Vice Chairman, South-East, Ijeomah Arodiogbu, and the party chairmen in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states.
The party leaders described Wike’s remarks against members of the PGF as “most unfortunate, reprehensible and completely unacceptable.”
They argued that APC governors were elected leaders whose performances and electoral records deserved respect, accusing the FCT minister of attempting to interfere with their political fortunes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to them, the governors had implemented development projects in their respective states and secured more than 25 per cent of the presidential votes in their states during the 2023 election.
“Progressive Governors are not abstract politicians; they are performing leaders whose records speak for themselves,” the statement said.
The South-East APC leaders further faulted what they described as Wike’s “growing tendency” to criticise and seek the removal of serving APC governors in 2027.
“It is more troubling that Wike’s growing tendency to insult, diminish and plot to remove sitting Progressive Governors in 2027 is increasing each day,” they said.
They maintained that Wike, as a minister, had no authority over elected governors and urged him to withdraw his remarks.
The leaders called on the FCT minister to return to what they described as “party discipline, mutual respect and collective responsibility.”
They also rejected the “rainbow (chameleon) coalition” in the South-East, warning that the APC would oppose any attempt to undermine its structures or candidates in the region.
“We in the South East stand solidly with all Progressive Governors and candidates of our party at all levels in the forthcoming 2027 elections,” they said.
The leaders declared that the APC was “bigger than any individual,” urging party members to support its candidates from President Bola Tinubu to candidates contesting State Houses of Assembly seats in 2027.
The dispute stems from Wike’s proposed political coalition, which he has said is intended to support Tinubu’s presidential bid while allowing political parties outside the APC to field candidates for governorship and legislative positions.
The position has, however, drawn opposition from the Progressive Governors’ Forum, with Uzodimma maintaining that APC governors would not support any arrangement that undermines the party or its candidates.
Wike had subsequently described APC governors as “politically lazy” after they rejected political alliances that could weaken the ruling party.
Meanwhile, APC chieftain Farouk Aliyu has said President Tinubu is unlikely to be pleased with Wike’s criticism of the party’s governors.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Thursday, Aliyu said the APC was working towards a unified campaign structure at both national and state levels, with governors expected to coordinate the party’s activities in their respective states.
He said Wike was entitled to express his political views but argued that his description of APC governors was unacceptable to party members.
“We cannot stop Wike from speaking the way he does or saying whatever he wants. But as a party, we resent that kind of comment.
“We are not happy with the way he called our governors, and I’m sure Mr President will not be happy either,” Aliyu said.
Aliyu also questioned Wike’s claim that he had discussed his political activities with Tinubu and reached an understanding with the President.
He said APC members were not aware of any such arrangement between the President and the FCT minister.
“And if he said he had meetings or an arrangement with Mr President, well, we in the APC are not privy to that. I’m sure he’s not privy to what we are also discussing with Mr President,” he said.
The APC chieftain urged party members to avoid a public war of words with Wike, warning that continued exchanges could distract the party from its preparations for the 2027 elections.
