By Olasunkanmi Akoni
Tensions within the All Progressives Congress, APC, have heightened following criticism by party chieftain Farouk Aliyu of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, over his recent remarks about APC governors.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News on Thursday, Aliyu described Wike’s reported references to some APC governors as “419ers” and “lazy” as being in bad taste.
Aliyu said the leadership and members of the ruling party rejected such descriptions.
The development comes amid tensions between Wike, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, serving in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, and members of the APC Progressive Governors Forum.
Wike has said his political alignment with members of the APC is aimed at supporting Tinubu’s bid for a second term through what he described as a “rainbow coalition”.
Aliyu said the APC remained open to political alliances and acknowledged Wike’s contribution to the party’s electoral success in the 2023 presidential election.
He, however, argued that public attacks on APC leaders were unhelpful and could create tension within the political space.
Responding to criticism over the APC’s acceptance of Wike’s support in 2023 while objecting to some of his current comments, Aliyu said political boundaries within the party should be respected.
He also said Wike had been “adequately compensated” for his political support through his appointment as FCT Minister, while commending his performance in the role.
Aliyu cautioned against personal attacks on political leaders, referring to Wike’s recent comments concerning Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
He urged APC members not to allow the disagreement to distract them from the party’s activities and called on political leaders, including Wike, to exercise restraint.
Aliyu said the APC remained committed to a unified campaign structure ahead of future elections, with governors retaining responsibility for political operations within their respective states.
He said, “I call on my party members not to join issues with Wike, because let it not be a distraction to us.
“You know, we have a party to run, we have a country to run, and that instead of us, including Wike that tries to help the president, to be humble, to talk to people in a nice way, try to appeal to the sensibilities of Nigerians.
“Because there are certain things that as a government people are not happy with us. So, it is very, very uncalled for, for someone that is trying to help us, now to be insulting members of our party.”
Aliyu added that APC governors remained relevant to the party’s political structure, saying, “We’re not happy with his comments, and we hope he will also desist from these kind of comments so that it does not overheat the polity—the polity, I mean the country, it’s not just APC.”
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