A quiet but intense political supremacy battle is reportedly brewing between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, as both men maneuver to expand their political influence ahead of future electoral contests.
Political insiders say the rift between the two powerful figures centres on Imo State’s political succession plan ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
At the heart of the dispute is Sam Nnaemeka Anyanwu, popularly known as Sam Daddy—a long-time ally of Wike, former National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the party’s governorship candidate in Imo State during the 2023 election.
The Imo Succession Battle
Sources allege that Wike has been lobbying the presidency to support Anyanwu as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Imo State in 2027. The move, if successful, would place Anyanwu on the APC ticket despite his PDP background.
Governor Uzodinma, however, is said to be firmly opposed to the idea. The Imo governor reportedly insists on retaining sole control over the selection of his successor, a position his supporters argue is consistent with established party structures in the state.
Uzodinma’s camp accused Wike of political trespassing, alleging that the FCT minister is attempting to dictate the political future of a state outside his traditional sphere of influence.
Wike’s Argument
Wike’s allies argue that Anyanwu deserves political compensation for what they describe as his role in weakening the PDP’s structure—particularly in ways that allegedly strengthened President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s electoral advantage ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
They insisted that backing Anyanwu for the Imo APC ticket would be both strategic and rewarding loyalty, though this position has met stiff resistance within the Imo APC.
Rivers–Imo Political Crossfire
The rivalry is also believed to have spilled into Rivers State politics.
In what observers describe as a counter-move, Governor Uzodinma is reportedly backing Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara—Wike’s former political protégé—in his effort to break free from Wike’s long-standing influence.
Unconfirmed reports claim Uzodinma played a key role in facilitating Fubara’s smooth defection to the APC, a development viewed by Wike’s loyalists as a direct attempt to weaken the former Rivers governor’s political stronghold.
Eye on 2031 Vice-Presidential Ticket
Beyond 2027, political watchers say both men are positioning themselves for the APC vice-presidential slot in 2031, when the party is expected to zone its presidential ticket to the North.
According to this narrative, Wike and Uzodinma see each other as direct rivals, each seeking to build political leverage through dominance in Rivers and Imo states respectively—leverage that could be traded during future national negotiations.
“Mission Impossible”
Supporters of Governor Uzodinma have dismissed Wike’s alleged effort to influence Imo APC politics as “mission impossible,” insisting that the Imo governor remains firmly in control of the party’s structure in the state.
They argue that Wike is overestimating his political reach by attempting to impose a candidate in Imo, describing Uzodinma as a “first-class governor” with unmatched influence in his home state.
As 2027 approaches, the unfolding contest between two of the APC’s most influential power brokers is expected to intensify, with Imo and Rivers states emerging as key battlegrounds in a broader struggle for national relevance.
