APC Governors Are Right To Be Angry With Wike’ – Jimoh

A political scientist at the University of Ilorin, Dr Abdul Kareem Jimoh, has said the political activities of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, could create significant consequences for the All Progressives Congress (APC) beyond the 2027 general elections.

According to Ireporter Online, Jimoh, the immediate past Head of the Department of Political Science at the University of Ilorin, made the remarks while discussing the Rainbow Coalition associated with Wike.

The political scientist said concerns expressed by some APC governors over Wike’s political activities were understandable, arguing that the minister’s alliances could advance President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid while potentially undermining the interests of APC candidates at the state level.

“The governors are right to be angry because Wike is affecting their own interest. Wike has collaborators within the presidency and among the party in Abuja and their concern is that so far as the president’s interest has been taken care of, they are less concerned about what will happen to the party at various state levels,” Jimoh said.

He noted that it was not unusual in Nigerian politics for politicians to maintain relationships and influence across party lines, despite belonging to different political organisations.

“It’s not a new thing in politics that we’re having this kind of political development, that a particular politician that belongs to a political party will still have his way in another party,” he added.

Jimoh further described Wike as a politically influential figure whose reach, according to him, extends beyond traditional party structures.

“Wike is even so powerful than some of the landlords of the APC. So, as a political scientist, we are studying it, we want to see the aftermath of this kind of action,” he stated.

While acknowledging the immediate political calculations surrounding Wike’s alliances, Jimoh said his major concern was the possible long-term impact on the APC after the 2027 election.

He argued that the potential consequences could become more apparent in 2031, particularly if President Tinubu secures another term and the APC begins the process of selecting a new presidential candidate.

“To some extent, I have my reservations on the consequences of this particular development regarding Wike in particular,” Jimoh said.

According to him, Wike could become a major political challenge to the APC’s next presidential candidate after allegedly helping to advance Tinubu’s political interests.

“The consequences will be on the ruling party APC not today but in 2031, that is when Wike would have probably satisfied Tinubu’s interest and APC will want to pick another candidate and Wike will now become a serious threat and challenge,” Jimoh said.

He, however, stressed that the eventual political outcome remained uncertain, saying events would determine how Wike’s current alliances affect the APC in the years ahead.

“But we will wait and see in 2031 what will happen,” he added.