Abdulmumin Jibrin, a member of the house of representatives and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has urged governors of the party to treat Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with respect.
On Monday, the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) said it would not endorse any alliance or political arrangements that could undermine President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid or the party’s candidates in the 2027 elections.
The governors were reportedly referring to the Rainbow Coalition, a cross-party alliance associated with Wike that is backing Tinubu’s re-election bid.
In January, Wike, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member, said the coalition is a shift from party politics to a collective political movement focused on advancing the state’s interests.
Jibrin said no APC member could deny the role Wike played in helping Tinubu secure victory in the 2023 presidential election.
The lawmaker said Wike should not be publicly embarrassed by members of the party, adding that his contributions to the APC should be acknowledged.
“Wike is an asset to the APC and should not be embarrassed publicly,” Jibrin said.
He said Wike’s political decisions had contributed to the APC’s fortunes, particularly his role in Rivers state and the FCT.
According to him, Wike effectively handed Rivers to the APC and also worked behind the scenes to ensure some FCT candidates stepped down for APC candidates.
Jibrin said APC governors should recognise Wike as part of the broader political structure supporting the Tinubu administration.
He described the FCT minister as the “number 32 governor”, arguing that his position and political influence should be taken into account by APC governors.
“Every APC member benefited from Wike’s efforts to deliver Tinubu,” Jibrin said.
The lawmaker also described Wike as part of a broader cross-party political coalition, saying his contribution to the emergence and consolidation of the Tinubu administration should not be overlooked.
Jibrin’s comments come amid an ongoing debate within the APC over Wike’s political activities and his relationship with members of the ruling party ahead of the 2027 poll.