President Bola Tinubu is expected to personally intervene in the escalating conflict between All Progressives Congress (APC) governors and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike before the weekend, according to a senior presidential aide. The intervention, which may take place abroad, is aimed at preventing the dispute from undermining the party's preparations for the 2027 elections.
Presidential Intervention Planned
The aide, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Tinubu, currently on vacation in France, plans to engage both sides to broker a truce. "The President is the leader of the party and the father of the nation. There will be an intervention to broker a truce and resolve whatever differences exist between them, ensuring that all parties work together ahead of the coming election. The intervention is likely to take place abroad before the end of the week," the source said.
The move comes as the rift threatens to disrupt APC's internal cohesion, with concerns that it could damage Tinubu's re-election chances. The aide emphasized that the President views the dispute as a significant risk to party unity and electoral prospects.
Roots of the Conflict
Wike, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader serving in Tinubu's cabinet, has been building his Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State and across the country. He has pitched it as a vehicle to back Tinubu for the presidency while also supporting PDP candidates in governorship and senatorial races against APC contenders.
Wike recently alleged that Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Imo Governor Hope Uzodimma were behind efforts to frustrate him politically. Uzodimma, who chairs the APC Progressive Governors' Forum, rejected the coalition after the forum met in Abuja on Monday. He said APC governors would not back any political arrangement that could undermine party unity or Tinubu's re-election.
Wike hit back, calling the governors politically weak and insisting he was free to support candidates of his choosing in state-level contests. Two APC leaders told The PUNCH that the row runs deeper, touching on political calculations for 2031, leadership of the incoming National Assembly, and Wike's active support for PDP candidates challenging sitting APC governors.
APC Leaders Reject Wike's Approach
South-East APC leaders, in a joint statement signed by National Vice Chairman Dr Ijeomah Arodiogbu and the party chairmen of all five South-East states, described Wike's remarks as "most unfortunate, reprehensible and completely unacceptable." The statement called on the minister to withdraw his attacks and respect "party discipline, mutual respect and collective responsibility."
Former House Minority Leader Farouk Adamu-Aliyu, speaking on Channels Television's Politics Today on Thursday, September 17, said the APC would not allow Wike to fracture the party the way he allegedly weakened the PDP ahead of 2023. While acknowledging Wike's past contribution, Adamu-Aliyu drew a firm line. "Wike is not a member of our party. So we will treat him as a member of the opposition," he said, adding that the minister's approach risked becoming "an albatross" for the administration.
Efforts to reach Wike's media aide, Lere Olayinka, were unsuccessful, as he did not answer calls or respond to messages before this report was filed.
Renewed Hope Ambassadors Warn Wike
Previously, Legit.ng reported that the State Coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors publicly cautioned Wike against political moves that could weaken the loyalty of APC governors to Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election. In a signed statement, the group said its concern centres on Wike's Rainbow Coalition, which it described as a parallel political structure that risks competing with, rather than complementing, the APC's existing grassroots machinery.
The intervention is expected to be a decisive step in resolving the crisis, with all parties urged to work together ahead of the coming election. The outcome will likely shape the APC's internal dynamics as the 2027 election approaches.
