Wike: I backed Uzodinma for second term despite ally’s PDP candidacy
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike says he supported Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma’s second-term bid despite his political ally Sam Anyanwu contesting against the governor on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Wike made this disclosure on Tuesday during a media chat in Abuja, where he addressed his reported disagreement with Uzodinma over the Rainbow Coalition, a political group formed ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Anyanwu, a former national secretary of the PDP, contested against Uzodinma in the Imo State governorship election. Wike said his decision to support Uzodinma despite Anyanwu’s candidacy reflected his approach to political relationships and alliances.
“When you see Hope Uzodinma, ask him, when he was going for a second term, did I support him or not?” Wike said.
“I supported Uzodinma against the PDP candidate who was my national secretary,” the minister added.
His remarks come amid reports of a fallout between him and Uzodinma over the Rainbow Coalition. The disagreement reportedly followed efforts by Uzodinma to discourage governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from supporting the coalition.
Despite the reported disagreement, Wike insisted that the political group would continue its activities, declaring, “Rainbow Coalition has come to stay and there is nothing anybody can do about it.” He also emphasised his preference for candid dealings in political relationships, saying, “I deal with people who are straightforward.”
The disagreement comes as political alliances and rivalries begin to shape the landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the Rainbow Coalition emerging as a source of tension among some political figures.
