Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has backed the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors’ Forum in their ongoing feud with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, declaring that he will not tolerate the sponsorship of rival candidates against sitting governors.

Kalu, who represents Abia North, made the remarks in a video broadcast on his official Facebook page on Friday, amid rising tensions over Wike’s newly formed "Rainbow Coalition." The APC governors recently rejected the coalition, arguing that its decision to field alternative candidates across various states would undermine official APC flag bearers and jeopardize President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Wike has fired back, insisting the coalition remains entirely committed to Tinubu`s success, while accusing the protesting governors of being "lazy" and failing to deliver their states for the president in the 2023 elections.

Weighing in on the crossfire, Kalu stated that the governors have a legitimate grievance regarding political interference in their domains.

“Some governors have a very good case. I cannot be a governor and you are sponsoring an alternative candidate in my state. I will not allow that to happen,” Kalu asserted, adding that he would aggressively resist similar political threats if he were in their shoes.

Despite defending the governors` stance, the former Abia State governor sued for peace, urging both sides to sheathe their swords and close ranks ahead of the presidential election.

“I appeal to the governors, as well as Minister Nyesom Wike, who used to be a governor. We should not quarrel at this time of our campaign. Campaigns are not done in Abuja, so we should go back to the grassroots," Kalu urged.

He emphasized that both factions are critical to the ruling party`s success: “Both parties should pull their swords back. We need the Governors’ Forum very well, and we also need Minister Wike very well. I think the governors have their own strengths, and Minister Wike has his own strengths too.”