Nigeria says APC governors may ally with Atiku against Wike — Premium Times Nigeria
In Nigeria, some dissatisfied governors from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are discussing a possible alliance with Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 elections. This was stated by Yusuf Musa, an APC member, one of the leaders of the Arewa Consultative Forum and a supporter of the project to extend Bola Tinubu’s presidency, Premium Times Nigeria reports.
According to Musa, the potential alliance with Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is intended as a response to the “Rainbow Coalition.” It is promoted by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike as a structure to support the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.
Musa did not name the governors in question. He also claims that they are not considering leaving the APC, but are exploring the possibility of a political alliance with Atiku Abubakar. According to him, they may resort to this if Tinubu and the APC leadership do not intervene in the dispute surrounding the coalition.
Dispute over the coalition
Wike is a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but holds a position in the APC-led federal government. His coalition initially emerged in Rivers State, where Wike was previously governor, and later spread to other parts of the country.
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APC governors have opposed the alliance, saying it could weaken the party and its candidates in the 2027 elections. They also accuse Wike of using the coalition to support politicians who lost APC primaries and are now running under the PDP.
The APC Governors’ Forum, led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, said it would not support political arrangements that could harm the party and its candidates. In response, Wike accused the coalition’s opponents of fearing defeat in their own elections and criticized their performance in their states. He named Uzodimma, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun among the opponents.
Concerns over the 2027 elections
Musa said the governors are confident of Tinubu’s victory in the 2027 presidential election, but are concerned by Wike’s claims that nine states had allegedly been handed over to his coalition for gubernatorial and legislative elections. Wike previously denied that Tinubu had handed nine states to the coalition, but said that the president was aware of its creation and goals.
Atiku Abubakar’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, declined to comment on reports of a possible alliance.
