Sambo urges Tinubu to mediate Wike-Uzodinma APC rift ahead of 2027 polls

Arise News Director Sumner Sambo urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the escalating political conflict between Minister Nyesom Wike and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, warning it exposes Tinubu's perceived weakness in managing APC internal divisions. Sambo spoke Tuesday as APC governors, led by Uzodinma, distanced themselves from Wike's Rainbow Coalition ahead of 2027 elections, with Wike insisting the coalition is separate from APC and accusing governors of trying to impose candidates on his political camp while claiming loyalty to Tinubu's re-election bid.

The rift centers on Wike's support for Tinubu versus APC governors' pressure on Uzodinma as Progressive Governors Forum chair and senatorial candidate to show party loyalty. Wike noted he has 103 senatorial candidates and House members under Rainbow Coalition across six key states, suggesting the governors' unified stance may relate to recent INEC candidate list releases. Sambo argued Tinubu should leverage Wike's political experience and election support to de-escalate what he sees as an avoidable personal-political clash threatening party unity.

With the 2027 election cycle intensifying, should President Tinubu prioritize mediating internal APC disputes to maintain coalition strength, or allow governors and allies like Wike to resolve state-level conflicts independently as Wike advocates?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/16/wike-vs-uzodinma-you-need-to-step-in-now-sambo-to-tinubu/