Wike’s Political Moves Spark Fresh Concern As Jimoh Warns APC Governors

University of Ilorin political scientist, Dr Abdul Kareem Jimoh, has warned that the political activities and alliances of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, could create consequences for the All Progressives Congress (APC) beyond the 2027 general elections.

Jimoh, the immediate past Head of the Department of Political Science at the University of Ilorin, said the concerns expressed by some APC governors over Wike’s political activities were understandable, particularly because the minister’s alliances could affect the interests of the ruling party at the state level.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Jimoh said Wike’s political influence and relationships within the presidency and Abuja political circles could potentially strengthen President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid while creating difficulties for APC candidates contesting elections in some states.

“The governors are right to be angry because Wike is affecting their own interest. Wike has collaborators within the presidency and among the party in Abuja and their concern is that so far as the president’s interest has been taken care of, they are less concerned about what will happen to the party at various state levels,” he said.

The political scientist noted that it was not unusual in Nigerian politics for politicians to maintain influence or alliances across party lines, adding that Wike’s growing political strength had made him capable of operating beyond conventional party structures.

“Wike is even more powerful than some of the landlords of the APC. So, as a political scientist, we are studying it, we want to see the aftermath of this kind of action,” Jimoh stated.

While acknowledging the immediate political calculations surrounding the coalition linked to Wike, Jimoh said the longer-term implications for the APC were of greater concern to him.

He argued that the consequences might become more pronounced after the 2027 election, particularly if President Tinubu secures another term and the APC begins the process of selecting a new presidential candidate ahead of the 2031 election.

“To some extent, I have my reservations on the consequences of this particular development regarding Wike in particular,” Jimoh said.

He added that Wike could potentially become a significant political challenger to the APC in 2031 after what he described as the possibility of the minister helping to advance Tinubu’s immediate political interests.

“The consequences will be on the ruling party APC not today but in 2031, that is when Wike would have probably satisfied Tinubu’s interest and APC will want to pick another candidate and Wike will now become a serious threat and challenge,” he said.

Jimoh, however, acknowledged that the eventual political outcome could not be predicted with certainty, stressing that developments leading up to the 2031 election would determine how Wike’s current political strategy ultimately affects the APC.

“But we will wait and see in 2031 what will happen,” he added.