Video: Wike vows never to support Uzodinma for Senate President
Nyesom Wike
Abdullateef Fowewe
Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has declared his opposition to Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma’s reported ambition to become Senate President after the 2027 elections, saying he will never back the governor for the position.
Speaking on TVC News’ Journalists’ Hangout on Monday, Wike criticised Uzodinma for planning to leave the governorship early to contest a Senate seat.
“Hope Uzodimma became a governor by taking fourth position. He has 11 months to leave office. President Tinubu will be inaugurated by May 2027, and Uzodimma’s tenure will end around January 2028. Now, he wants to leave his office to run for Senate President,” Wike said.
He added, “Life or death, I will never support a character of Hope Uzodimma to become the Senate President.”
Wike linked the governor’s alleged agenda to recent tensions with APC governors over his Rainbow Coalition, claiming Uzodinma was urging colleagues to control National Assembly tickets to secure support for his own Senate presidency bid.
The remarks come amid an escalating rift between Wike and the Progressive Governors’ Forum, which Uzodinma chairs.
APC governors have distanced themselves from Wike’s cross-party Rainbow Coalition, arguing it could undermine party candidates in 2027.
Wike has insisted President Bola Tinubu is aware of his activities and that his focus remains on supporting the president’s re-election.
Hope Uzodinma has served as Imo State governor since January 2020, when the Supreme Court declared him winner of the 2019 election after he initially finished fourth.
He was re-elected in 2023 and previously represented Imo West as a senator from 2011 to 2019.
Earlier this year he declared interest in returning to the Senate for the Imo West seat in 2027, a move that would require him to resign as governor before his term ends in January 2028.
Speculation has linked the Senate bid to a possible run for the Senate presidency should President Tinubu secure a second term.
The exchange highlights growing internal APC friction over 2027 positioning, with both men remaining publicly supportive of Tinubu while clashing over strategy and personal ambitions.
