The National Action for Democracy (NAD) has expressed support for the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) and Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, describing his position on emerging political developments ahead of the 2027 general elections as reflective of the interests of the people and the need to strengthen democratic institutions.
The group, in a statement made available to journalists, criticised recent comments by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, against Uzodinma, arguing that the Imo governor was acting within the responsibilities of his office as chairman of the forum of governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The statement signed by Garbadeen Mohammed,comes amid an ongoing political disagreement involving Wike and some APC governors over the minister’s proposed “Rainbow Coalition”, a cross-party political arrangement which Wike has presented as part of efforts to mobilise support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
NAD said Uzodinma’s position should not be construed as opposition to President Tinubu, noting that the PGF chairman had reaffirmed the commitment of APC governors to the President’s re-election and the success of the party’s candidates at other levels of government.
The organisation therefore faulted Wike’s criticism of Uzodinma, urging political actors to resolve disagreements through dialogue, consultation and democratic engagement rather than personal attacks.
Wike had accused Uzodinma and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, of working against his political activities, while maintaining that his support for Tinubu was principally directed at the President’s re-election and did not necessarily translate into support for every APC candidate.
The FCT minister has also alleged that some APC governors are opposed to the proposed Rainbow Coalition because of concerns over possible attempts to influence the emergence of the leadership of the National Assembly after the 2027 elections.
NAD, however, maintained that Uzodinma’s position was consistent with his responsibilities as an APC governor and chairman of the PGF, particularly as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 elections.
According to the organisation, the disagreement has highlighted a broader political debate over the relationship between support for a presidential candidate and loyalty to political parties and their candidates contesting governorship and legislative elections.
The group urged political actors to shift attention towards issues affecting Nigerians, including governance, economic development, security and democratic accountability, rather than allowing personal disagreements to dominate political discourse.
NAD said political differences were a normal feature of democratic practice, but stressed that such differences should be managed in a manner that protects the integrity of political institutions and respects the electorate.
The organisation called on Nigerians to carefully examine the positions, records, programmes and commitments of political actors ahead of the 2027 general elections and make their own informed decisions.
NAD also commended Uzodinma for what it described as his defence of the institutional interests of the APC and the Progressive Governors’ Forum, while urging all political stakeholders to uphold democratic dialogue, tolerance and respect for divergent views.
