Shock 2027 Ultimatum: Zamfara Governor Dares Wike to Join APC for Tinubu Support!

Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has issued a direct challenge to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, urging him to formally join the All Progressives Congress (APC) if his intention is to genuinely support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. Governor Lawal, speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Inside Sources at the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, emphasized the inconsistency of Wike's current political stance. Lawal argued that Wike cannot simultaneously back President Tinubu at the presidential level while extending support to candidates of other political parties in governorship and legislative elections.

The Zamfara governor reiterated the unwavering position of APC governors regarding Wike’s proposed 'Rainbow Coalition', asserting that the FCT minister must unequivocally declare his political allegiance well in advance of the 2027 elections. Lawal's message was unambiguous: "Be on one side. You can’t be in two sides. If you’re in APC, please come out and support APC. Not you’re supporting APC here and you’re supporting other political parties somewhere else. It doesn’t make sense. It’s not done anywhere." He firmly stated, "APC all the way from head to toe." When explicitly asked if the governors were indeed asking Wike to join the APC, Lawal confirmed, "Exactly. What’s the essence?"

Governor Lawal further disclosed his intention to discuss this critical matter with President Tinubu upon his return, stressing the necessity for Wike’s political position to be clearly and definitively established. Lawal remarked, "It’s something that I will take up with the President when he comes back. So, let there be a very, very clear line where this guy belongs to. It’s either he’s in APC or he’s out. It’s simple. And I go with my brothers, the governors."

At the heart of this disagreement is Wike’s 'Rainbow Coalition', described as a cross-party political platform. Through this coalition, the FCT minister has been actively mobilizing support for President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election, while simultaneously asserting the right of various political parties to field their own candidates in governorship and legislative elections. Wike has consistently maintained that his support for Tinubu for president does not necessitate endorsing APC candidates in other electoral contests. Earlier this month, he issued a statement affirming his support for Tinubu’s presidency while insisting that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should remain free to compete in governorship, National Assembly, and state House of Assembly elections, clarifying that the 'Rainbow Coalition' is not an APC platform.

Defending his coalition, Wike stated its objective is to galvanize Nigerians from diverse political parties and platforms behind President Tinubu’s presidential bid. He also questioned the opposition from APC governors to this arrangement, drawing parallels to the strategic role played by the G5 governors in the 2023 presidential election. However, the APC governors have maintained a consistent stance: they will not endorse any political arrangement that could potentially weaken the party or undermine its candidates as the 2027 elections approach.

In a related development, Governor Lawal also addressed Wike’s characterization of some APC governors as "lazy." Lawal stated that Wike undoubtedly knew whom he was referring to, adding a personal disclaimer: "As for me, I mean, you can’t say that in Zamfara State. The difference is very, very clear. I invite anybody to come and see what we’re doing in Zamfara State."