The quiet political rivalry between the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, appears to be deepening as political realignments ahead of the 2027 general election gather momentum.
The tension between the two influential politicians is reportedly linked to disagreements over political control and mobilisation strategies in the South-East and South-South regions ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s expected re-election bid.
Sources told The Guardian the strained relationship between Uzodimma and Wike began during the political crisis in Rivers State.
The Imo governor reportedly supported the incumbent Rivers Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, during the impeachment attempt by 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike.
The disagreement reportedly persisted even after President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State last year to restore stability.
Political observers say Uzodimma’s stance in support of Fubara deepened the hostility between the two political heavyweights.
Investigations showed that the rivalry is intensifying as both camps position themselves to mobilise support for Tinubu’s second-term bid in the South-East and South-South zones.
While Wike has reportedly assured the president that he can deliver substantial votes for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in states such as Rivers, Cross River, Edo and Bayelsa, Uzodimma insists the ruling party already has strong structures to secure victory without relying on external political actors.
Uzodimma maintained that politicians who genuinely believe in the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda should formally join the APC rather than attempt to work from outside the party.
“We do not want crafty politicians who want to scam APC in the guise of supporting our leader and President,” he said.
“The President has said that when friendship and party clash, he would choose his party. We stand by that.”
In what appeared to be a veiled response, Wike warned that no governor would dictate political outcomes in Rivers State while he remains politically active.
Speaking during a high-level meeting with stakeholders of the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at his Life Camp residence in Abuja, the FCT minister cautioned against external interference in Rivers politics.
“In my lifetime, no governor will come into Rivers to install any politician, whether as governor or lawmaker,” Wike declared.
He stressed that no incumbent governor would enter Rivers to determine electoral outcomes.
“No governor will come to Rivers to make anybody in my state win in the name of solidarity while I am still alive and active,” he added.
The unfolding political rivalry is also influencing political calculations in Enugu State.
Sources revealed that the immediate past Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji, who is believed to be aligned with Uzodimma’s camp, is reportedly considering returning to the PDP to contest the Enugu governorship election.
Nnaji had lost the 2023 governorship election to the current governor, Peter Mbah.
The former minister recently accused Mbah of orchestrating the alleged tampering of his academic records at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, a controversy that led to his resignation from President Tinubu’s cabinet.
