A fresh twist has emerged in the growing political debate surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, as Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has openly challenged Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike to clearly declare where his political loyalty lies.
Lawal said it was difficult to reconcile Wike’s support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition with his insistence that politicians from other parties should remain free to contest against the All Progressives Congress (APC) in governorship, National Assembly and state assembly elections.
The governor’s remarks come amid mounting tensions between Wike and several APC governors over the controversial Rainbow Coalition, a political platform bringing together politicians from different parties in support of Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign.
While Wike has repeatedly defended the coalition as a broad political alliance rather than an APC structure, many within the ruling party have expressed reservations about its long-term implications for party unity and electoral strategy.
The former Rivers State governor has maintained that backing Tinubu for the presidency does not automatically require coalition members to abandon their political parties or surrender their right to contest elections against APC candidates at other levels.
According to Wike, parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should still be free to field candidates for governorship, legislative and other elective positions, even while some of their members support Tinubu’s re-election.
His stance has, however, continued to draw criticism from APC governors who argue that a successful presidential campaign should be complemented by coordinated support for the ruling party’s candidates nationwide.
Speaking during an interview on Inside Sources on Channels Television on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, Governor Lawal said the APC governors remained united in their position that political loyalty should be clear and consistent.
“Our message is very clear: be on one side. You can’t be on two sides at the same time,” Lawal said.
He argued that if Wike genuinely supports Tinubu and the APC, he should openly align with the ruling party rather than promote arrangements that could strengthen opposition parties in other elections.
“If you are supporting APC, then support APC fully. You cannot be supporting APC in one election and supporting other political parties elsewhere. That doesn’t make sense. It’s not how politics is done,” the governor stated.
When asked whether APC governors wanted Wike to formally join the ruling party, Lawal responded in the affirmative, questioning the purpose of maintaining an ambiguous political position.
He further revealed that he intends to discuss the issue directly with President Tinubu, insisting that the minister’s political standing should be clarified before preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.
According to him, the current arrangement creates uncertainty and could complicate efforts to build a united political front ahead of the next general election.
“It is something I will raise with the President when he returns. There must be a clear line showing where he belongs. He is either in APC or he is not. It is that simple, and I stand with my fellow governors on that position,” Lawal said.
The governor also reacted to Wike’s recent criticism of some APC governors, in which the FCT minister reportedly described them as lazy.
Lawal brushed aside the comment, saying the achievements of his administration in Zamfara speak for themselves.
“He knows the people he is referring to. But as far as Zamfara is concerned, nobody can make that accusation here,” he said.
Highlighting ongoing projects and reforms in the state, the governor challenged Nigerians to independently assess his administration’s performance.
“The difference is obvious. I invite anyone to come to Zamfara and see what we are doing. The results are there for everyone to see,” he added.
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