Wike, APC Governors’ Rift: ‘We’ll Resolve It Through Dialogue’ — Yilwatda

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has said the party will manage the disagreement between some APC governors and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, through dialogue, diplomacy and mutual respect.

Yilwatda said the APC leadership remains focused on preserving party unity, respecting the political rights of its members and strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The APC chairman spoke in an interview with Leadership through his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, in Abuja.

The disagreement followed opposition from the Progressive Governors’ Forum to political arrangements that the governors believe could weaken the APC or affect its candidates in the 2027 elections.

The governors, led by Progressive Governors’ Forum Chairman and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, have maintained that they would support candidates officially sponsored by the APC.

In a communique issued by the forum, the governors said they would not participate in or endorse any political arrangement capable of weakening the APC or adversely affecting its candidates.

Wike, who remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has maintained that his support for President Bola Tinubu does not mean he has left the PDP or that he is required to support APC candidates in other elections.

The FCT minister has also rejected claims that the Rainbow Coalition was established to undermine the APC, arguing that its primary objective is to mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election.

Against the backdrop of the disagreement, Yilwatda said the issue should not be allowed to escalate into a wider crisis within the ruling party.

He described the differences as political perspectives that could be managed through dialogue and diplomacy.

“Mr Wike has made his position on the Rainbow Coalition known, while APC governors have also clearly stated their support for the President and the party’s candidates,” Yilwatda said.

He added that the APC would continue to engage stakeholders while strengthening its structures ahead of the 2027 elections.

The APC chairman further urged political actors to avoid personalising the disagreement or escalating their rhetoric, stressing that political differences are part of democratic practice and should be managed through dialogue, maturity and respect for political institutions.