Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has derided governors elected on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) as “politically lazy”.
The comment followed the APC governors’ opposition to Wike’s Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Wike spoke in an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Tuesday, arguing that his decision to support President Bola Tinubu does not mean he has abandoned his political party or agreed that other parties should not field candidates.
Governors, led by their chairman and Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, had said they would not participate in, support or endorse any alliance that could undermine Tinubu’s re-election bid or affect APC candidates at any level.
Reacting, Wike said: “They are politically lazy. When you have your local problems, don’t use Mr. President as your excuse.”
According to him, the disagreements surrounding his political activities did not start with his decision to support Tinubu, recalling that he had faced opposition even when he was serving as governor of Rivers State and later as FCT minister.
“This thing did not start today. It started at a ministerial position. They are not happy that I am Minister of FCT. Also, they were unhappy when I was governor,” he added.
Wike said his knowledge of the political situation is greater than that of those criticising his activities, suggesting that his critics would understand his position better if they have access to the information available to him.