Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has described governors of the All Progressives Congress as “politically lazy” following their opposition to his Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The governors, led by their chairman and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, had said they would not participate in, support or endorse any alliance that could undermine President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid or affect APC candidates at any level.
But Wike, in an interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time on Tuesday, dismissed the concerns, arguing that his decision to support Tinubu did not mean he had abandoned his political party or agreed that other parties should not field candidates.
“They are politically lazy. When you have your local problems, don’t use Mr President as your excuse,” Wike said.
The minister maintained that the disagreements surrounding his political activities did not start with his decision to support Tinubu, recalling that he had faced opposition even when he was serving as governor of Rivers State and later as FCT minister.
“This thing did not start today. It started at ministerial position. They were not happy that I was Minister of FCT. Also, they were unhappy when I was governor,” he said.
Wike said his knowledge of the political situation was greater than that of those criticising his activities, suggesting that his critics would understand his position better if they had access to the information available to him.
“If they know what I know, they would not come out to shout,” he said.
The former Rivers State governor also insisted that his support for Tinubu remained unchanged, arguing that supporting the President was separate from the activities of his political party.
“I have said I will support the President and I am still supporting him. What has that got to do with my party?” Wike asked.
The minister further cited the political activities of governors such as Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and Abia State Governor Alex Otti to argue that support for a presidential candidate should not prevent political parties from presenting candidates at other levels.
“Take Soludo, Adeleke and Otti. Does it mean that their parties will not present other candidates? This thing they are saying does not have any basis,” he said.
Wike also recalled the 2023 presidential election, saying his decision to support Tinubu was based on his belief that it was the South’s turn to produce the President after the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
“Recall that in 2023, as far as the President is concerned, it is my belief that it was the time of the South and so it would be unfair that it goes back to the North,” he said.
Vanguard News
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