The All Progressives Congress (APC) Grassroots Organisation has issued a warning to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, against destroying the party's structures. According to the group, Wike's actions, particularly his introduction of the Rainbow Coalition into the campaign mix, may unwittingly derail President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid. The group, led by Chairman Mukhtar Rabiu, expressed concerns over Wike's decision to back PDP candidates against APC candidates in some states.
The face-off between Wike and some APC governors over his decision has put the governors in an uncomfortable situation. The APC governors have refused to be polarised, but the party's National Working Committee (NWC), led by National Chairman Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, has remained mute. The group accused Wike of trying to destroy a major organ of the APC, the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), using a similar script he used to destroy the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the past.
The APC Grassroots Organisation argued that Wike's PDP G-5 alliance was crucial to Tinubu's 2023 presidential victory, citing the results in the five states associated with the alliance. However, the group noted that three members of the G-5, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Okezie Ikpeazu, and Samuel Ortom, lost their senatorial elections in 2023. Only Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who broke ranks with Wike, won his election.
The group questioned Wike's self-acclaimed street credibility, pointing out that he allegedly lost his local government and Rivers State before the presentation of the disputed Rivers State presidential election result. They also noted that Ikpeazu, Ortom, and Ugwuanyi lost their polling units, wards, and local governments.
The APC Grassroots Organisation welcomed Wike's support for Tinubu but warned that his Rainbow Coalition should not be treated as an alternative to the APC's elected governors, candidates, and formal structures. The group argued that Wike's admission that the coalition is not an APC structure signals a potential conflict of interest.
The group maintained that an individual or support group must not be allowed to function as a parallel party structure simply because they support the president. They cautioned Wike against using his lame support for Tinubu's 2027 re-election bid to undermine existing structures and interests of the ruling party.
The APC Grassroots Organisation urged Wike to support Tinubu without expecting APC governors to surrender their governors, senators, House members, Assembly candidates, or party structures to his faction of the PDP. The group emphasized the need to avoid creating competing political interests in states where APC governors are expected to campaign for both Tinubu and other APC candidates.
Key points
- APC group warns Wike against destroying party structures with his Rainbow Coalition
- Wike's actions may undermine President Tinubu's re-election bid
- Group questions Wike's street credibility, citing his alleged losses in Rivers State
