Where Were You When ike Suffered For Tinubu?” — Odoemena Challenges APC Governors

The Convener of the Igbo Union, Elias Odoemena, has criticised governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for allegedly turning against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, after previously benefiting from his support.

Speaking during an interview on Arise News, Odoemena claimed that several APC governors once maintained close relationships with Wike and benefited from his political efforts, particularly during the 2023 presidential election.

He questioned why the governors were now opposing the Rainbow Coalition, a political platform associated with Wike, despite what he described as the minister’s contributions to the party and President Bola Tinubu.

According to Odoemena, the governors previously visited and enjoyed Wike’s support but had changed their stance following the emergence of the coalition.

“There was a time Wike was everywhere. Any governor that came to Abuja, or came into the city, would go and visit Wike. All of them were enjoying Wike. He won the election for them,” Odoemena said.

He further questioned the reasons behind the governors’ opposition to the coalition, stating that he did not always agree with Wike but supported him in the ongoing political dispute.

“How did they come over now and become against the Rainbow Coalition? Why are they afraid of Wike? I don’t always support Wike, but in this particular one, I am supporting him,” he added.

Odoemena also argued that governors should focus on effective governance rather than being concerned about the coalition’s activities. He maintained that leaders who perform well in their respective states would retain the support of their citizens.

“But if you are a governor, you have to govern well. When you are ruling your state well, the people will be with you. If we can have a thousand Rainbow Coalition, we will not touch you,” he stated.

His comments come amid reported disagreements between the APC leadership and political figures associated with Wike’s Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.