A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Farouk Aliyu, has warned Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, against making comments capable of creating division within the ruling party.
Aliyu spoke on Arise Television’s The Morning Show on Thursday amid growing disagreements between Wike and some APC governors over political arrangements ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Wike, who remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, despite serving in the APC-led Federal Government, recently described some APC governors as “politically lazy” and “419ners” while defending his political activities in support of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
Reacting, Aliyu said the APC would not tolerate conduct capable of undermining the party’s unity, stressing that Wike’s previous disagreements with members of the PDP did not justify similar conduct within the APC.
He said the party appreciated Wike’s support for Tinubu and his performance as FCT minister but would not accept public attacks against its governors.
Aliyu also said President Tinubu should intervene in the dispute by speaking with Wike and APC leaders to prevent the disagreement from becoming a distraction ahead of the 2027 elections.
“I’m sure he will speak to Wike. He will speak to also our leaders. That, look, we don’t need these things in public,” Aliyu said.
The APC chieftain dismissed claims that party members were opposed to Wike’s appointment as FCT minister, describing the minister’s performance in office as positive.
He further said the APC was working towards establishing a unified campaign structure at the national and state levels, with governors expected to oversee the party’s political structures in their respective states.
The disagreement follows the rejection by the APC Progressive Governors’ Forum of political arrangements that it said could weaken the party ahead of the 2027 elections. Wike has, however, maintained that he never approached the governors’ forum to join any “Rainbow Coalition” and said his political activities were focused on supporting Tinubu.
Aliyu urged Wike and other political actors to avoid public exchanges that could distract the party and the government as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.
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