Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has called on the Progressive Governors’ Forum and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to end their differences and work together towards President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Kalu, who represents Abia North Senatorial District, made the call while reacting to the ongoing face-off between the APC governors and Wike over the Rainbow Coalition founded by the FCT minister.
The APC governors had recently rejected the coalition’s move to field candidates in various states, while Wike has maintained that the coalition is fully committed to supporting Tinubu’s re-election.
Wike had also accused some of the aggrieved governors of being lazy and failing to work for Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election.
Reacting in a video shared on his official Facebook page on Friday, Kalu said the governors had legitimate grounds to oppose efforts to field alternative candidates against them in their respective states.
“Some governors have a very good case. I cannot be a governor and you are sponsoring an alternative candidate in my state. I will not allow that to happen,” he said.
The senator, however, urged both sides to sheathe their swords and unite behind Tinubu, stressing that both the governors and Wike have important political strengths that should be harnessed ahead of the 2027 election.
“I appeal to the governors as Minister Nyesom Wike, who used to be governor. We should not quarrel at this time of our campaign. Campaign is not done in Abuja, so we should go back to the grassroots.
“Both parties should pull their swords back. We need the governors’ forum very well and we also need Minister Wike very well.
“I think the governors have their own strengths and Minister Wike has his own strengths too,” Kalu said.
The governors have argued that the coalition’s decision to field candidates in their respective states could undermine APC candidates, including President Tinubu’s bid for re-election in 2027.
