Fresh political tensions have emerged between Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and some governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The disagreement centres on Wike’s proposed “Rainbow Coalition”, which he says is designed to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election while allowing politicians to back candidates of their choice in governorship and legislative elections.

Wike, speaking on TVC’s Journalists’ Hangout, dismissed concerns that the coalition could weaken the APC, arguing that supporting Tinubu for president should not necessarily translate into supporting APC candidates in every other contest.

The minister specifically accused Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma, and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of opposing his political activities.

Wike alleged that some of the governors’ concerns were linked to political calculations surrounding the emergence of the next Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives. He also claimed that Uzodimma was positioning himself for the Senate presidency after leaving office.

The APC governors, however, have maintained a different position. At their September 15 meeting in Abuja, the governors resolved not to participate in or support any alliance or political arrangement they believe could undermine President Tinubu’s re-election, weaken the APC or adversely affect the party’s candidates.

Uzodimma, who read the forum’s communique, said the governors’ campaign commitment would remain exclusively with APC candidates at all levels.

Wike has continued to defend his coalition, maintaining that politicians can support Tinubu at the presidential level while backing candidates from other parties in state and legislative contests. He cited the 2023 elections, when members of the then-G5 governors supported Tinubu’s presidential bid while their parties fielded candidates in other elections.

The disagreement has added another layer to the political realignments taking shape ahead of the 2027 elections, with Wike remaining part of the APC-led federal administration while maintaining political relationships and alliances outside the ruling party.

Both sides have publicly framed their positions around their respective political objectives: Wike says his coalition is focused on securing Tinubu’s re-election, while the APC Governors’ Forum says its priority is protecting the party and its candidates in all 2027 contests.