Political communications strategist, Ben Ukeji, has challenged members of the Progressive Governors Forum, PGF, to focus on strengthening their political structures rather than opposing the Rainbow Coalition associated with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ukeji made the remarks on Wednesday while reacting to the position of APC governors, who have distanced themselves from the Rainbow Coalition amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections.
Although Wike has declared his support for President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term, the FCT minister remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, rather than the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
The political development has attracted attention following the release of senatorial candidates by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Wike’s faction of the PDP, through which the Rainbow Coalition operates, has more than 100 senatorial candidates spread across the country.
The emergence of the coalition has reportedly generated concerns within the APC, with the Progressive Governors Forum subsequently seeking to dissociate itself from the political arrangement.
Ukeji, however, argued that Wike was within his rights to pursue the political interests of his party while supporting Tinubu’s presidential ambition.
“Wike has clearly made his position known, and politics is about self-interest to a large extent. Wike is not a member of the APC, and I don’t see anything wrong with him working for the president and advancing the interests of his political party, the PDP,” he said.
He recalled Wike’s role in the G5 governors’ movement during the 2023 presidential election, arguing that the group’s decision not to support the PDP presidential candidate at the time contributed to Tinubu’s victory.
“Don’t forget, he formed what is known as the G5, and largely, that G5 worked for the emergence of President Tinubu. Look at all the five states where the G5 operated; Atiku lost elections there, and that created an advantage for the current president to win the election.
“So, this time around, don’t forget that Wike is not a member of the APC. He is a member of a political party, which is the PDP, and he has to advance the interests of his political party. The president appointed him minister based on his political considerations. So, he is supporting the president, but not other guys.
Ukeji said the APC governors should instead assess their performance and political structures in their respective states rather than directing their attention towards Wike and the Rainbow Coalition.
“So, what the Progressive Governors should have done, if you ask me, is also go back to the drawing board and look at where they are and what they are not doing right. In many states, some of the governors are not living up to their responsibilities.
“They should stop working against a PDP man who is working to make sure his candidates come out victorious at the election. So, there’s nothing wrong. Wike, if you ask me, is a political strategist, and yes, his ideas may not be ideological, because in ideology, you have communism or capitalism. But he’s a principled politician.
“If you ask me, he believes in what he believes in and his convictions. He stands by them, and he’s courageous enough to drive his convictions.
The strategist further urged the governors to concentrate on consolidating their political influence, referencing Wike’s earlier criticism of some politicians as being lazy.
“So, these governors should, after all, they say the political structures of the states have been given to them. They should go back and work hard.
“Wike said they’re lazy politicians. So, why are they jittery? He won’t do their job. Why are they jittery over the Rainbow Coalition?” he asked.
Leave feedback about this