Political tensions between Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, have intensified as rival interests emerge around President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.

The disagreement centres on the role of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), the APC’s formal political structure and Wike’s cross-party Rainbow Coalition, which has also declared support for the President.

Uzodimma, who chairs the PGF, has maintained that APC governors would not participate in or support political arrangements capable of weakening the party or undermining its candidates in the 2027 elections.

The position followed a closed-door meeting of APC governors in Abuja, where the forum resolved that its members would work together to protect the party and its candidates.

Wike, however, has insisted that his support for Tinubu’s re-election is separate from his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He has argued that the Rainbow Coalition is a broader political platform and that supporting Tinubu for president does not prevent the PDP from presenting candidates for other elective positions.

The disagreement has also been linked to the political crisis in Rivers State, where Wike’s relationship with 27 former members of the state House of Assembly and his rivalry with Governor Siminalayi Fubara became a major issue in the lead-up to the declaration of a state of emergency in March 2025.

The report said Wike had previously relied on his relationship with Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio during the Rivers political crisis, while Uzodimma and other governors within the PGF supported positions opposed to Wike’s political interests.

Another source of tension is the question of political appointments and influence after the 2027 elections. The report said Uzodimma had been considered for roles including Director-General of Tinubu’s presidential campaign organisation, while Wike was also reportedly considered for the position.

Following the eventual appointment of Abdulaziz Yari as campaign Director-General and Uzodimma as secretary, tensions between the two political figures reportedly resurfaced.

Wike subsequently criticised the PGF leadership over APC’s defeat in the Osun governorship election, while expanding the Rainbow Coalition to include political figures from different parties and states who have expressed support for Tinubu’s re-election.

The expanded coalition includes politicians such as Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo and Abia State Governor Alex Otti, as well as PDP figures including Sule Lamido, Bukola Saraki and Emmanuel Bwacha.

The development has generated competing reactions within the APC. While some party members have raised concerns about alliances outside the party structure, others have argued that political actors supporting Tinubu should not be excluded because they are not members of the APC.

APC foundation member Osita Okechukwu criticised the PGF's public confrontation with Wike, urging the President to be cautious of internal disagreements that could affect the party's preparations for the 2027 elections.

The growing dispute reflects broader negotiations among political actors over party structures, campaign leadership and their respective positions in Nigeria’s political landscape beyond the 2027 elections.