South-East APC backs govs, condemns Wike’s attacks

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The All Progressives Congress leadership in the South-East has thrown its weight behind the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma led Progressive Governors’ Forum, rejecting recent criticisms of the governors by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

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Their position is contained in a joint statement signed by the APC National Vice Chairman, South-East, Dr Ijeomah Arodiogbu, and the party chairmen in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states, which was made available to journalists in Abuja on Thursday.

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APC South East leaders describe Wike’s remarks against members of the PGF as “most unfortunate, reprehensible and completely unacceptable.”

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The South-East APC leaders say the governors are elected leaders whose performances and electoral records deserve respect, accusing Wike of attempting to influence their political fortunes ahead of the 2027 elections.

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According to the leaders, Wike’s criticisms were directed at governors who had delivered significant development in their respective states and secured more than 25 per cent of the presidential votes in their states in the 2023 election.

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“Progressive Governors are not abstract politicians; they are performing leaders whose records speak for themselves,” the statement said, adding that the governors were independent elected leaders who should be treated with respect.

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The APC South-East leadership also accused Wike of attempting to interfere in the political fortunes of serving APC governors ahead of the 2027 elections, stressing that a minister has no authority over elected governors.

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“It is more troubling that Wike’s growing tendency to insult, diminish and plot to remove sitting Progressive Governors in 2027 is increasing each day,” the statement said.

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The leaders called on the FCT Minister to withdraw his attacks on the governors and return to “party discipline, mutual respect and collective responsibility.”

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They also rejected what they described as the “rainbow (chameleon) coalition” in the South-East, warning that the APC would resist any attempt to undermine its structures in the region.

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“We in the South East stand solidly with all Progressive Governors and candidates of our party at all levels in the forthcoming 2027 elections,” the statement said.

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The leaders declared that the APC was “bigger than any individual” and urged members to support the party’s candidates from President Bola Tinubu to the State Houses of Assembly in the 2027 elections.

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The disagreement between APC governors and FCT Minister, Wike, centres on political alliances and support for candidates across different levels ahead of the 2027 elections.

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While the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Uzodimma, says APC governors will not support any arrangement that undermines the party’s candidates or weakens the party, Wike maintains that his Rainbow Coalition can support President Bola Tinubu at the presidential level while backing candidates outside the APC in other contests, stressing that his support for the President does not require him to support APC candidates across the board.

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