Former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani, has said that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has political interests beyond supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Sani made the remarks during an interview with Channels Television while discussing the political understanding between Tinubu and Wike, which has been described as a “rainbow deal” and has reportedly generated concerns among some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to Sani, some APC governors are unhappy with Wike’s position that voters should support Tinubu for president while being free to support candidates from other political parties in elections for other positions.
He said the position could create tension within the APC because the governors and other party candidates are interested in securing support for their own candidates at the state and legislative levels.
Sani, however, described Wike as a political asset to Tinubu, arguing that the former Rivers State governor has established himself as a relevant figure in Nigerian politics whose influence cannot easily be ignored.
He explained that there are areas where Wike and the APC converge and others where their interests differ.
“Where Wike and the APC are in convergence is on his support for President Tinubu. He has played a major role in 2023, and he has a role to play in 2027. That should be recognized. But the point of divergence is that Wike has other interests apart from that of Mr. President,” Sani said.
According to him, the disagreement could become more pronounced if Wike backs candidates for governorship, state assembly, Senate and House of Representatives seats who are not aligned with APC candidates.
Sani also said the concerns raised by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma should not be viewed as his personal position alone. He argued that Uzodimma was reflecting the interests of APC stakeholders seeking electoral support for candidates contesting positions other than the presidency.
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