Wike-Governors Feud: APC Chairman Unveils Plan To Resolve Crisis

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has said the party will rely on dialogue, diplomacy and mutual respect to manage the ongoing disagreement between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and some APC governors.

Yilwatda said the APC leadership remained committed to preserving the unity of the party, respecting the political rights of its members and maintaining focus on preparations for the 2027 general elections.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the APC chairman made the remarks in an interview with Leadership through his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, in Abuja.

The disagreement followed the decision of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, to reject political arrangements that the governors believe could weaken the APC or affect the party’s candidates in the 2027 elections.

The governors subsequently declared that they would support only candidates officially sponsored by the APC and would not endorse political alliances or arrangements they believe could undermine the party or its candidates.

Wike, who remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has maintained that his support for President Bola Tinubu does not amount to leaving the PDP. He has also rejected claims that his Rainbow Coalition is designed to weaken the APC, arguing that its main objective is to mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election.

The FCT minister has further maintained that politicians can support Tinubu at the presidential level while backing candidates of their choice in governorship and legislative elections.

Amid the exchange between Wike and the APC governors, Yilwatda said the disagreement should not be allowed to develop into a broader crisis within the ruling party.

He described the situation as a difference in political perspectives that could be managed through dialogue, maturity and respect for the institutions and processes of the various political parties.

Yilwatda said Wike had made his position on the Rainbow Coalition clear, just as the APC governors had publicly stated their commitment to President Tinubu and candidates contesting under the APC platform.

He added that the party’s priority was to maintain unity, respect the democratic rights of political actors and remain focused on the 2027 elections.

The APC chairman also stressed that the party’s doors remained open to constructive engagement while the leadership continued efforts to strengthen its structures and work with stakeholders committed to the country’s progress.

Yilwatda maintained that there was no need to personalise political disagreements or escalate rhetoric, noting that differences of opinion are part of democratic politics and can be addressed through dialogue and mutual respect.