Inside Nyesom Wike’s Growing Political Troubles and the APC Power Battle

How 2027 Governorship Ambitions, Internal Party Resistance, and Shifting Alliances Are Reshaping Wike’s Influence

Nyesom Wike’s recent political challenges appear increasingly tied to a strategic overreach that has unsettled key power blocs within Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Political analysts say the situation is rooted in an ambitious push to secure a 2027 governorship ticket in a South-East state for a close political associate.

According to multiple political sources, Wike engaged senior APC figures in an effort to advance the plan. Among those reportedly approached was the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, who is said to have made it clear that the proposal was unacceptable within the party’s structure. Despite this, lobbying allegedly continued.

2027 Ambitions and Internal APC Resistance

Sources familiar with the matter say Wike justified the move by pointing to his ally’s role in weakening the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the national level. On that basis, a governorship ticket was reportedly demanded, rather than the ambassadorial appointment that had been proposed.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was also said to have encouraged acceptance of the diplomatic role as a political compromise. The offer, however, was allegedly declined, with insistence placed firmly on securing the 2027 governorship ticket.

Political observers note that this insistence pushed the matter beyond quiet negotiations and into open conflict with established APC interests.

Confrontation With a Key APC Power Broker

The strategy reportedly brought Wike into direct conflict with one of the most influential figures in the ruling party—a two-term APC governor from the same South-East state, widely regarded as a major power broker and the current chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum.

Analysts say the governor’s deep ties to Nigeria’s political center and his expected role in determining his successor made any external attempt to influence the succession process politically risky.

Further complicating the situation, the ally at the center of the controversy had previously contested the governorship under the PDP, sidelining other prominent figures, including a former governor whose election was later overturned by the Supreme Court.

Rapid Pushback and Realignment of Forces

Once the plan became widely known within APC circles, resistance reportedly formed quickly. Influential stakeholders intervened, political alliances shifted, and Wike’s leverage began to decline. Sources describe the response as coordinated and sustained.

At the same time, the South-East governor reportedly strengthened ties with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, helping to mobilize national support and playing a role in Fubara’s recent move to the APC. Political assurances were also reportedly extended, reinforcing Fubara’s standing within the ruling party.

Uncertain Path to Recovery

Whether Nyesom Wike can recover from the mounting political pushback remains uncertain. Analysts say the episode highlights the limits of personal influence within Nigeria’s ruling party and underscores the risks of political overreach in a highly competitive environment.

Still, observers note that Nigerian politics is often unpredictable. Should Wike manage to rebuild alliances and reposition himself within the APC’s evolving power structure, it would mark one of the most significant political comebacks in recent times.