APC Chairmen Split on Collaborating with Wike Ahead of 2027 Elections

State chairmen of the All Progressives Congress are not on the same page about working with the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike. This comes as President Bola Tinubu tries to settle the differences between Wike and party leaders before the 2027 elections.

Some chairmen from 14 states said they would support Wike if he officially joined the APC or if the party's national leaders made an agreement with him. Others, however, said that the Rainbow Coalition promoted by Wike does not fit into their areas.

The disagreement stems from Wike's ongoing membership in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party while serving in the APC-led Federal Government. His push for the Rainbow Coalition, which he says is meant to gather support for Tinubu's re-election, has also put him at odds with APC governors.

Wike insists that backing Tinubu does not stop the PDP from presenting candidates in governorship and legislative elections. But leaders in the APC do not support any political moves that could weaken their party or its candidates for the 2027 elections.

In Plateau State, APC Chairman Rufus Bature said the party is open to working with anyone in the APC, including Wike, if peace is achieved. However, he made it clear that Wike cannot belong to two rival parties at the same time.

"If he wants to join the APC, he is free to do that because we don’t stop people from joining our party. But he cannot be APC in the morning and PDP in the night. We won’t allow that," Bature said.

In Jigawa State, the APC welcomed Wike’s support for Tinubu. Bashir Kundu, the Jigawa APC Publicity Secretary, said the party values the minister’s help for Tinubu’s 2027 campaign and is willing to work with anyone backing the President.

Gombe State APC Chairman, Mohammed Dantata, echoed similar sentiments, stating that anyone willing to join the party would be embraced. Zamfara State APC Chairman, Kabiru Moyi, said he would accept whatever decision the party's national secretariat reaches.

"If the National Secretariat of our great party is ready to align with him for the success of the party, I have nothing to say but to accept the decision," Moyi said.

In Bauchi State, the APC Chairman Muhammad Tilde took a more careful approach. He said he could not make a decision on whether the state chapter would work with Wike even if the President managed to bring peace. Tilde said he would need to talk with other state chairmen and stakeholders first.

Kwara State showed more division. The state Chairman, Sunday Fagbemi, did not respond to questions about the peace talks. Meanwhile, party member Abdul-Rahoof Labelabe said the G15, now called the OTOGE Progressives, had already started collaborating with Wike’s coalition to support Tinubu.

In Benue State, APC Chairman Benjamin Omale stated that the party had not received any invitation from the Presidency regarding the proposed reconciliation. He said the state chapter would decide as a group if approached.

Omale stressed that the party is focused on a unity movement supporting both Governor Hyacinth Alia and President Tinubu for 2027.

The divisions were also clear in Sokoto and Kebbi states. Local APC chapters there said they have no ties to the Rainbow Coalition. Sokoto APC Chairman Haruna Adiya said they have no issues to resolve with the coalition since no APC member belongs to it. The Kebbi State chapter said it only acknowledges its own support structure for Tinubu.

In Rivers State, where Wike’s political ties are controversial, the APC faction led by Emeka Beke argued against allowing Wike to undermine the party’s existing structure. The faction’s Publicity Secretary, Darlington Nwauju, said they have not decided if they would work with Wike even if Tinubu ends up brokering peace.

In Taraba State, the APC stated that its main focus is to strengthen the party and support Tinubu. They said they would follow any agreements made by the President and party leaders.

In Nasarawa State, the APC urged Wike to join the ruling party and leave the Rainbow Coalition. They praised his support for Tinubu’s 2027 election bid. The state APC Publicity Secretary, Augustine Ogaba, told Sunday PUNCH in Lafia that the party does not support political coalitions outside its recognized structure.

"As APC members, we do not approve of any coalition that is not recognized or supported by our party's leadership," he said, adding that they would welcome Wike into the APC.

In Imo State, the APC Publicity Secretary, Jones Onwuasoanya, doubted that President Tinubu would bypass governors to talk directly to state chairmen. He said the APC follows established leadership structures and state chapters must adhere to party rules.

"There are channels of communication within the party, and the party at the state level will always abide by the Constitution of the party and the guidance of our leaders, especially the Commander-in-Chief. We believe he would always consult with the governors before taking decisions that affect the party at local levels," he added.

In Oyo State, the party Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, would not comment, calling the situation sensitive.

With APC state chairmen divided, the proposed reconciliation could play a big part in how the ruling party balances Wike’s cross-party push with the interests of its candidates in 2027.