The dispute between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Progressive Governors’ Forum, PGF, has intensified ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The latest development came from the APC leadership in the South-East, which declared support for the party’s governors and called for full backing of APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.

The position was contained in a joint statement by the APC National Vice Chairman for the South-East, Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, and the chairmen of the party in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states.

The leaders said the PGF’s position was important to the party’s electoral plans for 2027. They also condemned Wike’s recent criticisms of APC governors, describing the remarks as unacceptable.

According to the South-East APC leaders, the governors targeted by Wike had implemented development projects in their respective states and secured more than 25 per cent of the presidential vote in their states during the 2023 election.

They argued that Wike should not seek to influence the political future of elected governors, insisting that the APC would defend its structures and candidates in the region.

The leaders also rejected the political coalition associated with Wike, describing it as a potential threat to APC candidates. They pledged to support APC candidates across all levels, from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to candidates seeking seats in state Houses of Assembly.

Wike has maintained that his political alignment is aimed at supporting Tinubu’s re-election. He has also criticised some APC governors for what he considers inadequate political mobilisation for the President.

In one of his recent comments, Wike questioned how APC secured two Senate seats in Imo State in 2023 while Tinubu did not receive a comparable level of presidential support in the state.

Meanwhile, former APC governorship candidate in Jigawa State and former House of Representatives minority leader, Farouk Aliyu, criticised Wike’s description of APC governors as “lazy”.

Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, Aliyu said APC members rejected the characterisation and urged the FCT minister to exercise restraint in his public comments.

He argued that Wike had already been adequately compensated for his support of Tinubu during the 2023 election through his appointment as FCT minister.

Aliyu commended Wike’s performance in the FCT but said his attacks on APC leaders could undermine party cohesion and contribute to political tension.

He urged APC members not to allow the dispute to distract them from running the party and governing the country. He also called on Wike to communicate with political leaders and Nigerians in a more conciliatory manner.

However, APC chieftain and federal lawmaker Abdulmumin Jibrin offered a different perspective.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Jibrin defended Wike and argued that members of the APC had benefited directly or indirectly from his political efforts.

Jibrin described Wike as an asset to the APC and said the minister had made significant sacrifices in support of Tinubu and the administration.

He consequently advised APC members against publicly embarrassing Wike, despite the disagreements surrounding his political activities and continued membership of the PDP.

Amid the political exchanges, the office of Vice President Kashim Shettima clarified comments attributed to him concerning Northern governors and their support for Tinubu.

In a statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media and Communication in the Office of the Vice President, the office said Shettima’s reference to six Northern governors related specifically to political consultations before the APC presidential primary in June 2022.

The statement said the remarks were not intended to question the support of Northern APC governors after Tinubu emerged as the party’s presidential candidate.

It added that Northern APC governors subsequently rallied behind Tinubu and contributed to the party’s campaign and electoral efforts in the 2023 presidential election.

According to the statement, Shettima recognises the contributions of Northern governors and other APC leaders to Tinubu’s emergence and electoral victory.

The clarification came as political discussions intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, with disagreements over Wike’s role, APC party structures and strategies for supporting Tinubu increasingly becoming part of the wider political debate.