‘I’ll not support Uzodimma’s ambition to become Nigeria’s next Senate President’ – Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike says he will not support Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma’s ambition to become Nigeria’s next Senate President.

Wike made the statement on Monday while appearing on TVC’s Journalists’ Hangout programme.

“This man’s office will expire in January 2028. Now, he wants to leave his office to run for Senate. I will never support a character of Hope Uzodimma to be Senate President of Nigeria,” Wike said.

He also alleged that Uzodimma was trying to influence the emergence of lawmakers who would back his ambition to lead the Senate.

The comment comes amid an ongoing disagreement between Wike and the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), which is led by Uzodimma.

Last week, the PGF said it would not support any alliance or political arrangement that could affect President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid or the chances of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.

The statement was seen as a reference to the Rainbow Coalition, a cross-party political group associated with Wike and supporting Tinubu’s re-election.

Wike, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had said in January that the coalition was moving beyond traditional party politics to create a wider political movement focused on protecting the interests of the states.

Uzodimma is seeking to return to the Senate and is reportedly interested in becoming Senate President.

However, the Senate changed its Standing Orders in May, introducing new conditions for senators seeking presiding and principal positions.

Under the amended rules, only senators with at least eight years of continuous service in the chamber can contest for Senate President or Deputy Senate President.

The new rules also require nominations for presiding positions to follow the principle of ranking.

The ranking covers former Senate presidents, former deputy Senate presidents, former principal officers, senators who have served at least one term, former members of the House of Representatives and first-time senators where no other eligible candidates are available.

Another provision states that a senator must have served two consecutive terms immediately before nomination to qualify for a principal office.

The changes could prevent senators elected for the first time in 2027, who did not serve in both the 9th and 10th Senates, from contesting for key positions such as Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Senate Leader, Chief Whip and Minority Leader.