Wike Distances Self From Okorocha-Uzodimma Court Dispute, Faults Threat Against Rainbow Coalition
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Marvelous Onumara
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has denied any involvement in the Federal High Court judgment recognising former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Imo West Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Wike described attempts to associate him with the judgment as mischievous, insisting that he neither instituted the legal action nor participated in the court proceedings that produced the ruling.
The minister made the clarification during a live media chat on Thursday, November 5, 2026, while responding to questions concerning the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Abuja on October 29.
According to him, his name was being unnecessarily dragged into a matter with which he had no connection.
He said, “First of all, anybody calling my name is being mischievous. I didn’t go to court. I’m not in APC. I don’t know what the issue is.”
The judgment followed a suit instituted by Okorocha, who challenged the recognition of Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, as the winner of the APC senatorial primary for Imo West.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, in his ruling, directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Okorocha as the party's candidate for the senatorial district, replacing Uzodimma's name.
The court held that the former governor won the APC primary conducted on May 18, 2026, after considering the evidence presented before it. It further ruled that Okorocha secured the majority of lawful votes cast during the exercise.
However, the ruling has generated controversy within the Imo State chapter of the APC, which has disputed the decision. Uzodimma has also indicated his intention to challenge the judgment through an appeal.
Wike, while distancing himself from the legal dispute, also criticised a reported threat by Uzodimma to seize the vehicles of individuals promoting the proposed Rainbow Coalition in Imo State.
The FCT minister described the alleged threat as uncivilised, noting that it reportedly came a day before the court delivered its judgment.
The reported disagreement between both political figures has attracted attention amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Wike also addressed a video circulating on social media showing him dancing with Okorocha, explaining that the footage was recorded when he hosted the former governor while he was still serving as governor.
He maintained that the video should not be interpreted as evidence of his involvement in the ongoing political disagreement between Okorocha and Uzodimma.
The minister further used the media interaction to explain his position on the proposed Rainbow Coalition, an arrangement aimed at bringing politicians from different political parties together to support President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid in 2027.
According to Wike, members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) can support Tinubu in the presidential election without abandoning their party's candidates in governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and other legislative contests.
He argued that political support does not necessarily require individuals or parties to adopt the same candidates across all levels of an election.
Wike maintained that his immediate political priority was to ensure Tinubu secures victory in the 2027 presidential election, while allowing other political parties to present candidates for other elective positions.
His comments highlight the political disagreements surrounding the proposed coalition and the competing interests emerging within the parties as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
