Farouk: Wike's Jabs at APC Governors Could Irk President Tinubu

A prominent figure within the All Progressives Congress (APC), Aliyu Farouk, has expressed his belief that President Bola Tinubu is unlikely to be pleased with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, following Wike’s recent criticisms directed at governors elected under the ruling party’s banner. Farouk made these assertions during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Thursday.

Wike had previously characterized certain APC governors as "politically lazy" while advocating for his "Rainbow Coalition," which he claimed was designed to garner support for President Tinubu’s re-election campaign in 2027. These remarks from Wike came shortly after the APC Governors’ Forum, under the leadership of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, publicly rejected any political alliances that might weaken the APC or undermine President Tinubu’s bid for a second term.

Responding to these developments, Farouk indicated that the APC is actively working to establish a unified campaign structure across both national and state levels, with the expectation that governors will oversee the party’s campaign efforts within their respective states. He clarified that while the party would not prevent Wike from expressing his viewpoints, it would nonetheless be displeased with his comments concerning APC governors.

Farouk stated, "We do not want any situation where it becomes vote for APC, vote for PDP, or vote for any other party. As far as we are concerned, we want a unified APC campaign structure, which is exactly what we are setting up at the national level and across the states as well, and the governors are going to be in charge of the states. You know, so we cannot stop Wike from speaking the way he does or saying whatever he wants. But as a party, we resent that kind of comment. We are not happy with the way he called our governors, and I’m sure Mr President will not be happy either."

Furthermore, Farouk challenged Wike’s assertion that he had engaged in discussions or reached an agreement with President Tinubu regarding his political activities in preparation for the 2027 elections. He added, "And if he said he had meetings or an arrangement with Mr President, well, we in the APC are not privy to that. I’m sure he’s not privy to what we are also discussing with Mr President."

The APC chieftain also urged members of the party to avoid public disagreements with Wike on this matter, advising, "I call on my, you know, party members not to join issues with them." Wike, for his part, has consistently maintained that his Rainbow Coalition is solely aimed at supporting Tinubu for the presidency, while simultaneously allowing opposition parties to field candidates against APC contenders in governorship and legislative elections.