Tensions within Nigeria’s political landscape reached a new high on Monday, September 21, 2026, as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, declared that he will never support Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma in any bid to become the President of the Senate in the 11th National Assembly.
Wike accused the Imo State Governor of leveraging his position as Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) to advance personal political ambitions rather than working for collective party interests.
The fallout marks a sharp escalation in an ongoing battle between Wike’s cross-party “Rainbow Coalition”, a group set up to mobilise multi-party support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election, and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors. Trouble escalated following a meeting of the Progressive Governors’ Forum chaired by Governor Uzodimma.
During the meeting, the APC governors formally rejected political alliances like the Rainbow Coalition, warning that such arrangements could divide loyalty and weaken the APC’s tickets for National Assembly and state seats in 2027.
Wike, through statements issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, fired back at the APC governors, describing their opposition as political insecurity. ”It is the party that produces the majority in the Senate that will produce any President of the Senate, and we are yet to have an election.
Discussions about who would emerge as Senate President are premature.” according to Lere Olayinka. Political insiders and party chieftains, including APC stakeholder Tajudeen Olesin, revealed that the core of the dispute lies in post-2027 power distribution.
Reports indicate that Uzodimma, whose second term as governor ends in early 2028, has been backed by key colleagues to contest a Senate seat in 2027, resign as governor, and seek the Senate Presidency. Wike has firmly rejected this scheme, insisting that if President Tinubu retains the presidency in 2027, power-balancing dictates supporting the return of incumbent Senate President Godswill Akpabio rather than backing a candidate from the South-East.
The spat has drawn sharp reactions across the political divide, with aides from both camps exchanging heated counter-accusations: Chief Press Secretary to the Imo State Governor (Hon. Oguwike Nwachuku): Speaking on behalf of Governor Uzodimma regarding the Senate Presidency reports, Nwachuku stated that the governor was not actively campaigning for the position but acknowledged his colleagues’ backing. ”I receive this prophecy with an open mind.
This is good tidings. If my colleagues are thinking about me in this respect, this goes to show the level of cordial relationship among us.” Special Adviser on Party Affairs to the Kwara State Governor (Mashood Alaka): Defending Governor Uzodimma and the APC Governors’ stance, Alaka criticized Wike’s political maneuvers.
”What Wike said to the APC governors is out of order. The whole coalition thing is to mislead the APC… Everybody knows that he has his own ambitions ahead of 2031. If you want to work with the APC, work with the APC.”
Imo Lawyers for the Defence of Democracy (Secretary, Ifeoma Chukwunyere): Speaking at a press conference in Owerri, the legal coalition called on the FCT Minister to cease targeted attacks against Uzodimma.
”The APC Governors’ Forum in their wisdom rejected the Rainbow Coalition. Rather than show cause or plead for acceptance, Wike has chosen to personally attack Governor Uzodimma. Mr. Minister, Imo State belongs to its people… stay off Imo.”
As alignment and re-alignment shape up ahead of the 2027 general elections, the rift between Wike and key APC governors highlights the deepening structural friction within the ruling party’s coalition machinery.
