The Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has called on Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to formally join the party.
The APC chairman in Imo, Chief Austin Onyedebelu, made the call in an interview. He said the FCT Ministershould join the APC if he genuinely wanted to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
The political rift has emerged between the Progressive Governors Forum, led by Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo, and the Wike-backed Rainbow Coalition.
While Wike, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said the coalition is aimed at supporting Tinubu’s second-term bid, the Uzodimma-led group views it as capable of weakening the APC in the future.
Onyedebelu described Wike as a threat to Nigeria’s democracy and argued that the minister could not belong to both the PDP and APC at the same time.
“There is no provision in the Electoral Act that says one can be two political parties at the same time.
“If you want to work for Mr President, you join his train. You cannot be at the end of two roads and say you are heading east,” he said.
Onyedebelu accused Wike of using the Rainbow Coalition to revive the PDP and sustain his alleged presidential ambition.
He said the APC, through its governors, had made its position on the need for a coalition clear, adding that Wike responded by criticising APC leaders, including Uzodimma.
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He further alleged that Wike’s actions were driven by ulterior motives which, in his view, only visionary politicians such as Uzodimma could decipher.
Onyedebelu advised Wike to stop what he described as attempts to undermine APC leaders, particularly Uzodimma, saying such actions amounted to undermining Nigeria’s democracy.
However, Eze Madumere, a former Deputy Governor of Imo and PDP senatorial candidate for Imo East, described Wike as an exceptional politician.
Madumere said Wike’s political approach reflected the workings of democracy, adding that he had charted a course for those who believed in the Rainbow Coalition.
He said Wike had made it clear from the outset that his political vision was to support Tinubu, a position he demonstrated through the G5 governors during the 2023 general elections.
The PDP chieftain said Wike had remained consistent in declaring his support for Tinubu’s presidency.
Madumere commended Wike for what he described as the minister’s uncommon courage, adding that Wike was supporting Tinubu at the presidential level without undermining the PGF led by Uzodimma.
He attributed the criticisms against Wike to what he described as the President’s confidence in the minister’s capacity and political acumen.
“Without doubt, the President believes in the capacity, acumen and dexterity of Wike to deliver successfully.
“This may attract envy and jealousy. I advise that we concentrate and mobiliZe the citizenry and electorate by presenting our blueprint and convincing them on why they should vote for us,” he said.
