The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has described governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as “politically lazy.”
Wike made the comment in response to the APC governors’ opposition to his Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Tuesday, the former Rivers State governor argued that his decision to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election did not amount to abandoning his political party or agreeing that opposition parties should not field candidates.
The development followed a position by the APC governors, led by their chairman and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, that they would not participate in, support or endorse any alliance capable of undermining Tinubu’s re-election bid or affecting APC candidates at any level.
Reacting to the governors’ position, Wike said, “They are politically lazy. When you have your local problems, don’t use Mr President as your excuse.”
According to Wike, the disagreements surrounding his political activities predated his decision to support Tinubu.
He recalled that he had faced opposition from some quarters while serving as governor of Rivers State and later as FCT minister.
“This thing did not start today. It started at a ministerial position. They were not happy that I was Minister of FCT. Also, they were unhappy when I was governor,” he added.
Wike also said his understanding of the political situation was based on information available to him, suggesting that some of those criticising his actions might have a different perspective if they had access to the same information.