Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has stated that he will not support Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma in his reported bid to become Senate President after the 2027 general election. Wike made this declaration during an appearance on TVC's Journalists' Hangout. He alleged that Uzodimma's political activities are driven by his ambition to secure the Senate leadership after completing his second term as Imo governor.
According to Wike, Uzodimma, who is also the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, is working to influence the emergence of lawmakers who would support his Senate presidency ambition. Wike claimed that Uzodimma became a governor by taking fourth position and has 11 months left in office. He stated that President Tinubu will be inaugurated by May 2027, and Uzodimma's tenure will end around January 2028, after which he wants to run for Senate President.
Wike further alleged that Uzodimma has been encouraging APC governors to produce senators and members of the House of Representatives who would support his political plans. He claimed that Uzodimma's agenda is to become Senate President and that he tells APC governors to produce the senators and House of Reps members because of this agenda. This has raised concerns about Uzodimma's intentions and the potential impact on the Senate leadership.
The FCT minister also expressed concern about senators who lost their APC tickets and subsequently moved to the Peoples Democratic Party. Wike alleged that Uzodimma is afraid that these senators might win in the 2027 elections and refuse to support his bid for the Senate presidency because they are running with Wike's support. He stated that Uzodimma is concerned about the loyalty of these senators.
Wike emphasized that he will never support Uzodimma's bid for the Senate presidency, stating "Life or death, I will never support a character of Hope Uzodimma to become the senate president." This declaration has heightened tensions between Wike and Uzodimma, who have had disagreements in recent weeks. Uzodimma, as Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, recently stated that APC governors would not support political arrangements that could weaken the party.
The disagreement between Wike and Uzodimma is part of a larger political landscape, with Wike promoting the Rainbow Coalition and maintaining that his objective is to mobilize support for President Bola Tinubu's re-election. However, Wike has rejected demands that his support for the President should mean backing APC candidates in every other election. He has stated that he never promised that opposition parties would abandon their candidates for governorship and National Assembly elections.
In a related development, Wike addressed claims by supporters of Peter Obi that the former Labour Party presidential candidate won Rivers State in the 2023 presidential election. Dismissing the claim, Wike said Obi's supporters won the election only "in their imagination" and challenged them to produce official documents supporting their position. According to INEC results, Bola Tinubu of the APC polled 231,591 votes in Rivers State, while Obi received 175,071 votes.
Key points
- Wike vows not to support Uzodimma for Senate President.
- Disagreement between Wike and Uzodimma heightens tensions in APC.
- Wike dismisses claims that Peter Obi won Rivers State in 2023 presidential election.
