The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has hit back at governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing them as "politically lazy" for opposing his newly formed Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Tuesday, Wike clarified that his alliance with President Bola Tinubu does not mean he has abandoned his political independence or conceded that other parties should not contest fiercely.

The backlash follows a declaration by APC governors, led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, stating they would not support or endorse any political alliance that could undermine the President’s re-election bid or threaten APC candidates across the country.

Dismissing their concerns, the former Rivers State governor urged the state executives to face their internal challenges instead of hiding behind the presidency.

“They are politically lazy," Wike stated. "When you have your local problems, don’t use Mr President as your excuse.”

Wike noted that the friction surrounding his political moves is nothing new, recalling how the same forces opposed him during his tenure as governor and over his appointment as FCT minister.

“This thing did not start today. It started at a ministerial position. They were not happy that I was Minister of FCT. Also, they were unhappy when I was governor,” he said.

Insisting that he possesses superior political foresight, the minister asserted that his critics lack the depth of information available to him to understand the broader political landscape.