Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to make a clear choice between supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 elections. In an interview with Channels Television, Lawal stated that Wike cannot support President Bola Tinubu's re-election at the presidential level while backing candidates of other parties in governorship and legislative elections.
According to Lawal, the position of APC governors on Wike's cross-party platform remains unchanged, and they will continue to insist that support for Tinubu should be accompanied by support for APC candidates across different levels of the 2027 elections. He emphasized that Wike's political allegiance needs to be clearly defined ahead of the elections, saying "It's either he's in APC or he's out. It's simple."
The disagreement centers on the Rainbow Coalition promoted by Wike as a cross-party platform to mobilize support for Tinubu's re-election. Wike has maintained that the coalition is separate from the APC and that supporting Tinubu for president does not require politicians to abandon their parties or stop supporting candidates contesting governorship and legislative elections.
Wike has cited the 2023 election, when members of the G5 group of PDP governors backed Tinubu's presidential bid while remaining members of the PDP and supporting candidates in other contests. However, APC governors have said they would support Tinubu as well as APC candidates and would not endorse political arrangements that could weaken the ruling party or affect its candidates.
Lawal also responded to Wike's description of some APC governors as "politically lazy," saying the minister knew the governors to whom the remark was directed. Lawal invited anyone to see what his administration is doing in Zamfara State, implying that the state's efforts are clear and distinct.
The exchange adds to the increasingly public disagreement between Wike and some APC governors over the political structure for Tinubu's 2027 re-election campaign. Both sides maintain different positions on how presidential support should relate to contests for governorship and legislative seats, with APC governors insisting on a unified front.
Lawal plans to raise the matter with President Tinubu, emphasizing the need for a clear line on Wike's political allegiance. The FCT minister and APC governors will likely continue to engage in discussions to resolve their differences ahead of the 2027 elections.
Key points
- Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, challenges FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to join APC or withdraw from Rainbow Coalition.
- APC governors insist on unified support for President Bola Tinubu and party candidates in 2027 elections.
- Disagreement between Wike and APC governors continues over political structure for Tinubu's re-election campaign.
