Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to clearly state his political allegiance amid his reported involvement with the Rainbow Coalition, Peak Newspaper reports.
Lawal made the call during an interview with Channels Television’s Inside Sources on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The Zamfara governor said there was a need for Wike to make his political position clear, particularly as discussions continue over his relationship with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other political groups.
According to Lawal, Wike had previously maintained that it was not possible for an individual to simultaneously support the APC and other political parties.
“Our message is very very clear: be on one side, you can’t be on two sides,” Lawal said.
He argued that if Wike belongs to the APC, he should openly support the party rather than backing the APC in one instance while supporting other political parties elsewhere.
“If you are in APC, please come out and support the APC, not you are supporting APC here and you are supporting some other political parties somewhere else,” he said.
Lawal maintained that his position and that of other governors was clear, stressing that they wanted a straightforward declaration from the FCT minister regarding where he stands politically.
“We maintain our stand and the message is very clear. He can speak, he can say whatever he wants to say, but our position has been very clear, APC all the way from head to toe,” the governor said.
The Zamfara governor also disclosed that he intends to raise the matter with President Bola Tinubu when the president returns from his working vacation abroad.
Lawal said the issue was not only about Wike’s political activities but also about the position being taken by governors who, according to him, are asking the FCT minister to join the APC.
“It’s something I will discuss with the President when he comes back,” he said.
He further called for a clear distinction regarding Wike’s political affiliation, saying there should be no ambiguity over whether the minister is part of the APC or outside the party.
“Let there be a clear line where this guy belongs to. It’s either he is in APC or he is out, simple. So I go with my brothers, the governors,” Lawal added.
The remarks come amid continuing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general election, with Wike and members of the Rainbow Coalition featuring prominently in ongoing discussions about Nigeria’s political landscape.
