Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has denied having any involvement in the Federal High Court judgment that recognised former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 elections.
Wike made the clarification on Thursday during a media chat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, describing suggestions linking him to the judgment as mischievous.
The minister insisted that he neither instituted the court action nor participated in the case, adding that he was not a member of the APC and had no knowledge of the internal dispute that led to the ruling.
The controversy followed a judgment delivered on October 29 by Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja. The court held that Okorocha won the APC senatorial primary conducted on May 18, 2026, and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise him as the party’s candidate, instead of incumbent Governor Hope Uzodimma.
Wike also addressed speculation fuelled by a video showing him dancing with Okorocha at a previous event, explaining that the footage dated back to when he hosted the former governor.
He acknowledged his disagreement with Uzodimma over the proposed Rainbow Coalition, an initiative aimed at mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Questioning the governor’s opposition to the initiative, Wike maintained that politicians could support the same presidential candidate while retaining different party affiliations and backing separate candidates in other elections.
He further stated that he had no reason to apologise for his friendship with Okorocha, despite the political disagreements between the former governor and Uzodimma.
Meanwhile, Uzodimma has indicated plans to challenge the court judgment at the Court of Appeal, while the Imo State chapter of the APC has also rejected the ruling.
