A public feud has erupted between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and APC governors over Wike's Rainbow Coalition. The coalition, which spans across several states, including Rivers, Kwara, Imo, and Gombe, has drawn the ire of APC governors who claim it undermines the party's interests. According to Hon. Farouq Aliyu, an APC leader from Jigawa, the party will not allow Wike to use the APC to build his own party, the PDP.
Wike has responded to the governors' criticism, describing them as "politically lazy" and accusing them of using President Bola Tinubu as an excuse for their local problems. On September 15, 2026, Wike stated that the governors were devoting more time to gossip than to their work. He also pointed out the governors' history of changing party members, citing the governor of Kwara as an example.
The APC governors had issued a statement on September 14, 2026, expressing their resolve not to participate in or support any alliance that could undermine the party's interests. The statement was seen as a direct attack on Wike's Rainbow Coalition. Wike's response has been viewed as a counterattack on the governors.
Analysts have drawn parallels between Wike and Nasir El-Rufai, describing them as political twins due to their similar styles and thirst for control. Both men have been characterized as fiercely combative and calculating in their approach to politics. Their operational DNA and no-prisoner methodology have drawn comparisons to historical figures like Shaka, the Zulu king.
The name of Wike's coalition, "Rainbow," has been seen as a reference to the Greenpeace flagship, Rainbow Warrior, which was sunk by French secret agents in 1985. Wike's choice of name has been interpreted as a bold statement, given the historical context. The APC governors' opposition to the coalition has been viewed as a challenge to Wike's influence within the party.
The feud between Wike and the APC governors has raised questions about the party's internal dynamics and the implications for the upcoming elections. Wike's loyalty to President Bola Tinubu has been emphasized, while the governors have expressed concerns about the party's prospects. The situation has been likened to Aesop's fable, "The Farmer and the Viper," where a snake that has been saved ultimately turns on its benefactor.
The conflict between Wike and the APC governors appears to be escalating, with both sides trading accusations and counter-accusations. The outcome of this feud and its impact on the APC's performance in the upcoming elections remains to be seen. Wike's defiant stance has been seen as a reflection of his reputation as a tough and uncompromising politician.
Key points
- FCT Minister Nyesom Wike is engaged in a public feud with APC governors over his Rainbow Coalition.
- The APC governors claim Wike's coalition undermines the party's interests.
- Wike has responded defiantly, accusing the governors of being "politically lazy".
