Wike rules out backing Uzodimma for Senate presidency

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has ruled out supporting Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, for the position of Senate President.

Wike made his position known on Monday during an appearance on TVC’s Journalists’ Hangout, amid an ongoing political disagreement between him and the Imo governor.

The FCT minister said Uzodimma’s tenure as governor would end in January 2028 and questioned his reported interest in moving to the Senate afterward.

“This man’s office will expire in January 2028. Now, he wants to leave his office to run for senate. I will never support a character of Hope Uzodimma to be senate president of Nigeria,” Wike said.

The disagreement between the two politicians has recently centred on Wike’s proposed Rainbow Coalition and its relationship with the 2027 elections.

Uzodimma, who chairs the Progressive Governors’ Forum, has been involved in the forum’s position on political arrangements that could affect the All Progressives Congress and its candidates.

Wike, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, has maintained that his coalition is aimed at mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election while allowing political parties to field their own candidates in other elections.

The latest comments add to the public exchange between Wike and Uzodimma, who have traded criticism over their respective political positions in recent days.