Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over their opposition to the Rainbow Coalition, accusing them of being “politically lazy” in their response to the political development ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Wike made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Tuesday while responding to the position taken by the APC Governors Forum on political alliances ahead of the next elections.

The APC governors, led by their chairman and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, had declared that they would not participate in, support or endorse any alliance capable of undermining President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

The governors also said they would not support political arrangements that could weaken the APC or adversely affect the party’s candidates at any level.

The position followed growing political discussions surrounding Wike’s Rainbow Coalition and its reported support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Wike, however, rejected the suggestion that supporting the President meant he had abandoned his political party or that other political parties should be prevented from presenting candidates for the elections.Wike Fires Back at APC Governors

Wike Tackles Abdulrazaq, Uzodinma Over APC Politics, 2027 Political Maneuvers

According to Wike, the governors should focus on addressing political issues within their respective states rather than using President Tinubu as an explanation for their concerns about his political activities.

“They are politically lazy. When you have your local problems, don’t use Mr President as your excuse,” Wike said.

The FCT Minister also suggested that some of those criticising the Rainbow Coalition did not have access to the same political information available to him.

He maintained that a fuller understanding of the political circumstances would give his critics a different perspective on his actions and the coalition.

Wike has repeatedly stated that he supports President Tinubu, but has also maintained that such support should not automatically be interpreted as a decision to join the APC.

His position has become a significant part of the political debate surrounding alliances ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly because of his continued association with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his involvement in the Rainbow Coalition.

The coalition has been presented as a platform through which political actors from different parties can support Tinubu without necessarily abandoning their existing political affiliations.

The APC governors, however, have expressed concern about political arrangements that could undermine the ruling party or affect its candidates during the elections.

Their position and Wike’s response have added another layer to the ongoing discussions over party loyalty, political alliances and the configuration of the 2027 presidential contest.

N — Nwuche Praises Wike’s Rainbow Coalition

Amid the disagreement between Wike and the APC governors, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the South-South Development Commission, Chibudom Nwuche, has praised the FCT Minister for initiating the Rainbow Coalition.

Nwuche said the coalition had helped broaden President Tinubu’s political support base ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

In a statement made available to journalists on Monday, the former deputy speaker also commended Wike over his administration of the Federal Capital Territory.

Nwuche described the Rainbow Coalition as a “political masterstroke” that, in his view, was expanding the President’s political support base ahead of the next presidential election.

He argued that the coalition had created a political bridge across party lines, allowing politicians and political stakeholders from different political backgrounds to support Tinubu.

According to Nwuche, the arrangement provides an avenue for political actors to work together around the President’s re-election bid while retaining their individual party identities.

His comments came as political alignments continue to take shape ahead of the 2027 elections.

The differing positions demonstrate the competing interpretations of the Rainbow Coalition within Nigeria’s political space.

While Wike has argued that support for Tinubu does not require him to join the APC or prevent other parties from fielding candidates, the APC Governors Forum has emphasised the need to protect the ruling party and its candidates.

The issue is therefore tied not only to the President’s re-election campaign but also to broader questions surrounding party structures and political alliances.

As the 2027 election approaches, political parties, governors and other influential actors are expected to continue negotiating alliances and positions.

For now, Wike remains firm that his support for Tinubu is distinct from membership of the APC, while Nwuche has defended the Rainbow Coalition as an arrangement capable of connecting political interests across party lines.

The exchange underscores the increasingly active political environment ahead of the 2027 general elections, with alliances and counter-alliances likely to remain central to the national political conversation.