A fresh wave of political realignments may be taking shape within Nigeria's ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as some governors express concerns over the growing influence of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike. According to sources, these governors are discreetly opening channels to other strong opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections. This development comes amid a public disagreement between Wike and some APC governors over his Rainbow Coalition, which aims to mobilize support for President Bola Tinubu's re-election.
The Progressive Governors' Forum, led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, has declared that APC governors will not support political arrangements that could weaken the ruling party or its candidates in the 2027 elections. However, sources indicate that some governors are increasingly concerned that Wike's strategy could alter political calculations in their respective states. They are particularly watching developments in states where politicians who lost APC primaries or became dissatisfied with the party's internal arrangements have begun gravitating towards the Rainbow Coalition.
The timing of the 2027 elections, with presidential and National Assembly polls scheduled for January 16, followed by governorship and state Assembly elections on February 6, has added to the governors' concerns. According to sources, the governors are not necessarily worried about the outcome of the presidential election but are concerned about the political consequences of alliances forged around the presidential contest. They are looking beyond 2027 and considering the potential impact on state-level politics.
Some governors are reportedly exploring contacts with opposition leaders, including Atiku, as part of efforts to counter Wike's growing network. This alleged strategy does not necessarily involve an immediate defection from the APC but could involve establishing political contacts with opposition blocs capable of serving as a counterweight to Wike's influence. The governors are wary of political arrangements that could alter the balance of power in their states, given Nigeria's recent history of elected opposition governors crossing over to the ruling party.
Wike has maintained that his Rainbow Coalition is primarily aimed at securing support for Tinubu's re-election and does not require politicians to abandon their respective parties or withdraw candidates from governorship and legislative contests. However, this position has clashed with the stance of APC governors, who insist that their support for Tinubu must also extend to APC candidates contesting other positions. The disagreement has brought Wike into direct confrontation with several APC governors, including Uzodimma and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Wike has identified Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun among those opposed to his coalition and has rejected allegations that the coalition was designed to undermine the APC or that President Tinubu had agreed to concede nine states to the group. The unfolding dispute is creating new political calculations within the APC, particularly as aggrieved party members and politicians from different platforms continue to explore the emerging coalition landscape. Several dissatisfied APC figures have been moving towards Wike's Rainbow Coalition.
The reported development could add another layer to the growing political contest surrounding the 2027 elections, with the APC, ADC, PDP, and emerging cross-party formations increasingly positioning themselves for influence at both presidential and state levels. As of now, there is no official confirmation from the APC leadership or the Progressive Governors' Forum on the alleged contacts with Atiku, and the Atiku camp has also not officially confirmed or denied the development.
Key points
- Some APC governors are seeking new alliances with opposition parties due to concerns over Nyesom Wike's growing influence within the party.
- The governors are exploring contacts with opposition leaders, including Atiku, as part of efforts to counter Wike's growing network.
- The disagreement between Wike and APC governors could impact the 2027 elections and the balance of power within the party.
