Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has expressed frustration over what he described as a growing political disagreement between him and the governors of Imo and Kwara states, Hope Uzodinma and Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.
Wike made the remarks on Wednesday during a media chat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he spoke about his political relationships with several governors and alleged that some of those he previously supported were now working against his interests.
The former Rivers State governor specifically mentioned Uzodinma and Abdulrazaq, accusing both governors of failing to reciprocate the support he claimed to have offered them at critical moments in their political careers.
Wike speaks on Abdulrazaq
Wike alleged that Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has been actively involved in what he described as a campaign against him.
According to the FCT minister, he had previously confronted Abdulrazaq over the governor’s alleged position and activities.
“Take for example, Kwara, he has been the one championing this campaign against me everywhere,” Wike said.
The minister added that he was willing to speak openly about the issue because, in his words, he does not discuss matters he cannot defend.
“Yes, I have confronted him too. I don’t talk about what I cannot defend,” he stated.
Wike’s comments point to a growing political disagreement between the two men, although he did not provide detailed evidence in his remarks to substantiate all of the allegations.
Minister recalls support for Uzodinma
The FCT minister also discussed his relationship with Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, suggesting that the governor’s current attitude toward him was inconsistent with the support he had previously provided.
“Governor Hope, he knows the support I give to him,” Wike said”.
He expressed disappointment that, despite the assistance he claimed to have rendered to the Imo governor, Uzodinma was allegedly not reciprocating the gesture.
Wike’s remarks come amid continued political realignments within Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly as politicians and political blocs position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Wike’s political influence
Wike remains one of the most prominent political figures from Rivers State and has maintained significant influence within Nigeria’s political space despite his decision to serve in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as FCT minister.
His appointment attracted considerable attention because Wike was a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before joining the federal cabinet.
His continued involvement in national political affairs has also generated debates over his relationship with politicians across party lines.
The minister has repeatedly maintained that his political decisions are guided by principles and personal convictions rather than party labels.
His latest comments further highlight the complex relationships among political actors as Nigeria approaches another election cycle.
Political tensions ahead of 2027
The allegations involving Uzodinma and Abdulrazaq are likely to attract further attention because both governors are influential figures within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Uzodinma is the governor of Imo State and a prominent APC figure in the South-East, while Abdulrazaq leads Kwara State and plays an important role in the party’s political structure in the North-Central region.
Wike’s accusations therefore come against the backdrop of increasing political calculations ahead of 2027, when alliances and disagreements among influential politicians could shape the direction of the country’s major political parties.
However, the governors have not, in the remarks referenced, publicly responded to Wike’s latest allegations.
The development underscores the increasingly complicated political relationships among senior Nigerian politicians, many of whom have maintained alliances that cut across traditional party lines.
As political activities gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, further reactions from the governors and their allies could provide additional context to the disagreements raised by the FCT minister.