Minister of Works Dave Umahi has dismissed reports of a strained relationship between him and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, describing the former Rivers State governor as a progressive politician and member of the same political family.
Umahi made the statement at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday while reacting to reports of divisions within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and speculation over his relationship with Wike.
The Works Minister said there was no basis for reports of a rift between them, insisting that their relationship remained cordial, The News Edition reports.
“We need Wike as Wike needs us. So, it’s one family,” Umahi said.
He argued that political differences between the two men had been exaggerated by their opponents and urged politicians to focus on national development rather than allow political disagreements to create divisions.
Wike’s Political Alignment
Wike remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while serving in President Bola Tinubu’s APC-led administration. He has also been promoting the Rainbow Coalition as a platform to mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
The coalition has, however, become a source of disagreement between Wike and some APC governors.
The Progressive Governors Forum, chaired by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, has said APC governors would not support political arrangements capable of weakening the party or affecting its candidates in the 2027 elections.
Wike has maintained that the coalition is focused on supporting Tinubu’s presidential bid and is not an APC structure. He has also said his support for Tinubu does not mean opposition parties should abandon candidates for other elective positions.
Despite the broader political disagreements surrounding the coalition, Umahi said his relationship with Wike should not be interpreted through the lens of those differences.
He reiterated that both men remained members of the same political family and urged greater focus on issues of national development.