Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has fired back at Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal amid a political disagreement involving their positions on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election campaign and the Rainbow Coalition.
Wike reportedly accused Lawal of being unable to withstand the political pressure surrounding their earlier disagreements within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), claiming that he played a role in pushing the governor out of the opposition party.
“I chased you out of PDP; you couldn’t withstand the fireworks,” Wike said.
The remark adds another dimension to the political tensions surrounding Wike’s relationship with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), despite his continued identification with the PDP.
Lawal, who has since joined the APC, had previously criticised Wike’s participation in the Rainbow Coalition, a cross-party political arrangement associated with efforts to secure support for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
Disagreement over political allegiance
The dispute reflects wider questions about political loyalty and cooperation ahead of the next general election.
Wike has maintained that his priority is to support Tinubu’s re-election, arguing that the coalition brings together individuals and groups from different political backgrounds who share that objective.
However, some APC governors have expressed reservations about the arrangement, insisting that support for the President should be channelled through the ruling party rather than a separate political platform.
Lawal previously challenged Wike to clarify his political position, arguing that politicians should not simultaneously operate across competing political structures.
The disagreement has highlighted the complicated alliances emerging ahead of 2027, as political figures attempt to balance party membership, personal influence and their preferred presidential candidate.
A contest shaped by shifting alliances
Wike’s latest statement is also a reminder of the lingering rivalries within the PDP and the broader political realignments taking place across the country.
Lawal’s departure from the PDP followed prolonged internal disputes and legal uncertainty surrounding the party’s leadership and organisational structure.
Wike’s claim that he helped push Lawal out of the party remains his account of the political dispute and should be understood as such.
As preparations for 2027 intensify, the ability of political leaders to manage competing interests and maintain coherent alliances could become an important factor in their electoral strategies.
For now, the exchange illustrates how disagreements over party loyalty and campaign arrangements continue to shape relations among influential political figures.