Wike vs APC governors: Fayose examines interests behind 2027 dispute

Former Ekiti State governor and Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) Board, Ayo Fayose, has offered his perspective on the escalating disagreement between Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors’ Forum ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Fayose said the controversy should not be viewed solely through the lens of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, suggesting that personal interests and political egos could also be contributing to the dispute.

His comments followed a public exchange between Imo State Governor and APC Governors’ Forum Chairman Hope Uzodimma and Wike over the minister’s Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State.

Uzodimma rejects Rainbow Coalition

The dispute intensified after Uzodimma, in a video that circulated widely on social media, declared that APC governors would not support any alliance or political arrangement capable of undermining Tinubu’s re-election or weakening the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

Although the governor did not directly name Wike in the reported remarks, his statement was widely interpreted as a response to the minister’s political activities in Rivers State.

The Governors’ Forum’s position reflects its stated concern about preserving APC unity and protecting the party’s electoral interests as political realignments gather momentum.

Wike challenges governors’ opposition

Wike subsequently responded during an interview on Arise Television, criticising the governors and describing them as smart but politically lazy.

READ ALSO; Rainbow coalition dispute deepens as Wike slams APC governors

The minister maintained that the Rainbow Coalition was limited to Rivers State and insisted that he was not responsible for helping APC governors secure victory in their respective states.

His position suggests that his support for Tinubu should not automatically be interpreted as an endorsement of every APC candidate contesting the 2027 elections.

The disagreement has consequently raised questions about the extent to which support for a presidential candidate can coexist with independent political interests at state and legislative levels.

Fayose: ‘Everybody has his own ego’

Speaking on Channels Television on Tuesday night, Fayose said Nigerians were capable of assessing the competing positions of Wike and the Governors’ Forum.

The former governor stated: “Nigerians know who Wike is and the institution, the Governors’ Forum, and they are both saying different things in different ways.”

Fayose argued that the dispute was not fundamentally about securing victory for Tinubu.

According to him, the controversy “has nothing to do with the winning of the president”.

He added: “But don’t forget, everybody has his own ego. Every one of us, including myself.”

The remarks introduced a personal dimension to a dispute that both sides have publicly framed around political alliances and electoral interests.

Stakeholders’ positions and implications

Hope Uzodimma — APC Governors’ Forum

The forum’s chairman says the governors will not support arrangements that could undermine Tinubu’s re-election or weaken APC candidates.

Wike argues that his support for Tinubu does not require him to endorse APC candidates across the country. He maintains that the Rainbow Coalition is restricted to Rivers State.

Fayose says the controversy involves more than the President’s electoral prospects and points to personal ego as a possible factor in political disagreements.

What to watch ahead of 2027

The dispute could have implications for the relationship between presidential support networks and party structures as the 2027 elections approach.

Several questions remain unresolved: whether the Rainbow Coalition will expand beyond Rivers State, whether it will support candidates competing against APC nominees and how the parties involved will manage their respective electoral interests.

For now, the public statements from Uzodimma, Wike and Fayose provide different perspectives on the disagreement. The extent to which personal political interests, party strategy and presidential electoral calculations are driving the dispute remains a matter for further scrutiny.