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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has dismissed the position of the Progressive Governors Forum, rejecting his proposed rainbow coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying he never sought any alliance with the forum.
Wike stated this in an interview with ARISE NEWS, in reaction to the forum’s resolution announced on Monday, September 14, 2026, after a closed-door meeting in Abuja.
The forum, chaired by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, had said APC governors would not participate in or support any external political alliance and would back only official APC candidates at all levels, arguing that support for candidates outside the party could weaken the APC, create divided loyalty and confuse voters at the grassroots.
But Wike described the position as politically lazy and baseless, insisting his political efforts are focused on securing President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.
“There is no day I went to the Governors’ Forum to align with any rainbow coalition — there is no such day. I was already talking about an alliance with a party. I have never, one day, gone to the APC Forum for an alliance,” Wike said.
“I have never sat with the APC Progressive Governors’ Forum; I have not been part of that. Mr. President appointed me to join him to work, and by the grace of God, I am doing the work.”
The former Rivers State governor said the governors who addressed the press conference were “smart like the former governors” but politically lazy.
“When I see the people who held that press conference, they are smart — like the former governors, they are smart. But they are politically lazy, and that is unfortunate. All they said is neither here nor there,” he said.
Wike faulted the governors’ argument on candidate selection, citing examples of governors who support Tinubu while their parties still field candidates for other positions.
“What is the crisis about candidate selection? Soludo is supporting Mr. President. Does that mean Soludo will not present APGA candidates in the National Assembly election? Adeleke is supporting the President, like he said. Does it mean that his party, the PDP, will not present candidates in the National Assembly election?” he asked.
He also singled out Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, accusing him of making him the focus of every disagreement.
“Take, for example, the Governor of Kwara. I saw him there. It’s unfortunate. Anytime he sees a snake, it’s Wike. Anytime he sees any reptile, it’s Wike. Anything he doesn’t like, it’s Wike. Why? I have never seen people who would choose to spend time on gossip rather than doing the work they have been given.”
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On claims of divided loyalty, Wike said his support for Tinubu was separate from his party affiliation and that he had never taken any political action without informing the President.
“The point I am making is that I said I was going to support the President, and I supported him. I said I was going to support him for a second term because I have seen that he is committed and dedicated to changing Nigeria. What has that got to do with my party?”
He said the real dispute was over control of candidates for 2027, adding that being a governor does not confer absolute influence.
“They wanted to give us candidates of their own choice to present at that election… My business is not contesting the election. Yes, they are governors, I agree… They have influence, but influence should count more in your own state as far as election is concerned. At the end of the day, if Mr. President does not win in your state, what would you be talking about?”
Wike maintained that his value to the President extends beyond Rivers State to the FCT, where he said the administration has recorded visible progress.
“Today, it has never happened in the FCT that the ruling party will win all the seats, all six area councils in the FCT. So, as I sit today, I can tell you that the President will win FCT. I can sit today, with the support of other people we have across the states, and deliver for the President,” he said.
“I am not entering into any unity with your party. I have never made a comment about the party. I only made a comment that I will support Mr. President from day one.”
Addressing his continued membership of the PDP while supporting Tinubu, Wike argued that political realities made it difficult for the opposition to win the presidency and recalled supporting a former governor’s re-election bid despite being in the PDP at the time.
On his political future after Tinubu’s second term, he said relevance should not be measured by holding office.
“Must you continue to be in a position of authority? No, certainly not! Am I one of those silly people who think if you don’t occupy a position of authority, you cannot be relevant? I don’t agree to that. It depends on how you carry yourself, it depends on how you relate to your people, and it depends on how people view you.”
Wike also said the PDP structure in Bayelsa State was working for President Tinubu and dismissed the influence of the NDC founder in the state’s politics.
