Wike Says He Will Never Back Uzodimma for Senate President

The dispute between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has escalated after Wike alleged that Uzodimma wants to run for Senate President in 2027 and is working to ensure that only senators loyal to that goal are elected to the National Assembly. Wike made the allegation during an appearance on TVC on Monday, September 21. He said Uzodimma became governor from fourth place and has 11 months left before leaving office. Wike said President Tinubu will be inaugurated by May 2027, while Uzodimma’s tenure will end around January 2028. According to Wike, Uzodimma now wants to leave his office to pursue the Senate presidency. Wike claimed that Uzodimma tells APC governors to produce senators and House of Representatives members because of his ambition. Wike added that Uzodimma fears senators who lost under the APC and moved to the PDP might win and refuse to support him, since they are running with Wike’s backing. He said, “Life or de@th, I will never support a character of Hope Uzodimma to become the Senate President.” He also said Uzodimma’s office will expire in January 2028 and repeated that he would never support him for Senate President of Nigeria. Wike’s comments are the latest development in the ongoing rift between him and the All Progressives Governors Forum, led by Uzodimma. Last week, the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) said it would not endorse any alliance or political arrangement that could undermine President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid or the party’s candidates in the 2027 elections. The governors were alluding to the rainbow coalition, a cross-party alliance associated with Wike that is backing Tinubu’s re-election bid.