2027: Desist from making such ‘comments’ – APC chieftain, Farouk warns Wike

Aliyu Farouk, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has cautioned Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, against making statements that could escalate political tensions. Farouk made these comments in response to Wike's recent description of some APC governors as "lazy" and "419ners" on Arise Television's Morning Show.

Wike, who is currently serving under the APC-led Federal Government, is actively promoting a Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State to support President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid in 2027. However, Farouk deemed Wike's remarks as inappropriate, stating that the party is united in its efforts to run the country effectively. "We have a party to run, we have a country to run, and that instead of us, including Wike that tries to help the president, to be humble, to talk to people in a nice way, try to appeal to the sensibilities of Nigerians," he said.

Farouk also highlighted that Wike cannot be compared to other governors who are working with the APC-led administration to support Tinubu. "Wike is one person who is in charge of Rivers, according to him, and also in charge of FCT, the two states, and the other governors are 30 something governors, and other governors like that of Abia, governor of Osun, governor of Anambra, who are willing to come help Mr. President," he added.

The APC Progressive Governors' Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, had previously warned that the party's governors would not support any alliance or political arrangement that could undermine Tinubu's re-election or weaken the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.