The All Progressives Congress chairmen in the South-East have accused Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory, of projecting himself as a “co-president” within the APC-led federal government and demanded that he withdraw his remarks against members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum.
The latest development followed an exchange between Wike and the APC Governors’ Forum led by Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma over support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election. The governors have backed support for APC candidates at all levels, while Wike has promoted a broader “Rainbow Coalition” to mobilise support for Tinubu across party lines.
In a joint statement signed by Dr Ijeomah Arodiogbu, APC national vice-chairman (South-East), and the party chairmen in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo, the chairmen said Wike had no basis to assume a status equal to Tinubu or treat elected APC governors as political subordinates.
They said Wike’s alleged attempts to diminish or influence sitting APC governors were disrespectful to the presidency and the mandates of the governors. They urged him to stop further attacks, respect the Progressive Governors’ Forum and return to what they described as party discipline, mutual respect and collective responsibility.
The chairmen endorsed the Progressive Governors’ Forum’s position that all APC candidates should receive the party’s support in the 2027 elections, from the presidency to the state houses of assembly. They rejected what they called a “rainbow” or “chameleon” coalition in the South-East and said the APC was bigger than any individual, urging Wike to restrict his political coalition to Rivers State rather than encroach into APC affairs in the zone.
