From Cyril Mbah, Abuja.
A frontline political pressure group of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), known as the Renewed Hope Foot Soldiers for Tinubu has warned that the festering political feud between Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Governor Hope Uzodimma and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike could deny President Bola Ahmed Tinubu vital support in the South-East ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The warning followed a Federal High Court ruling recognising former Governor Rochas Okorocha as the All Progressives Congress, (APC), candidate for Imo West, a judgment the group said could deepen tensions in the region.
In a statement signed by its National President, Hon. Gbenga Owojori, the group said the judgment has altered calculations around the Senate presidency, which is the bone of contention, and risks shutting out a leading South-East contender even before the next Senate is constituted.
According to the group, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, who previously served in the Senate, should be allowed to pursue his political ambitions in line with party rules, adding that his supporters see him as a credible option for the Senate presidency with cross-party backing.
The group noted allegations among critics that Akpabio has an interest in blocking Uzodinma as a potential rival for the Senate presidency, and claims that Wike played a role in pushing the legal challenge that led to the court ruling.
It said some observers have linked those claims to Akpabio’s earlier support for Wike during his political dispute with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while supporters of Uzodinma have also accused Wike of repeatedly boasting that he would “deal with Hope.”
The Renewed Hope Foot Soldiers described Wike as a “meddlesome interloper and a power-drunk, disruptive outsider, ” citing allegations that the minister has claimed in certain circles that he can replace President Tinubu if the doctrine of necessity were invoked over concerns about the President’s health.
The group, however, cautioned that “these are serious claims and should not be treated as established facts,” stressing that the judgment must be assessed on its legal merits and the statements attributed to Wike may require clarification.
It insisted that Uzodinma should be judged on his record, experience and support base, and that no candidate should be excluded simply to protect another politician’s ambition, urging the APC to keep its nomination processes transparent and open.
The group warned that if South-East leaders conclude that their support for the administration is not matched by fair representation, dissatisfaction could weaken party unity, reduce grassroots mobilisation and make it harder for Tinubu to expand his base in the region.
It also flagged claims that certain political actors had boasted of installing Ifeanyi Ararume as governor, along with allegations involving Ade Tinubu, described as the President’s daughter’s fiancé and personal physician, saying such claims require substantiation and response from those named.
The group called on the APC leadership to address the concerns through transparent processes and inclusive dialogue, noting that Tinubu’s second-term prospects depend on party unity and the trust of regional partners, and that ensuring a fair opportunity for Uzodinma would help preserve confidence in the APC.
