Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has denied being behind the nullification of Governor Hope Uzodimma, as the Imo West senatorial candidate for the All Progressives Congress for the 2027 election by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Mr Wike stated this during a media chat on Thursday, in response to a question about his involvement in the judgement delivered on October 29, by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to replace Mr Uzodimma with a former Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha.

Justice Egwuatu also ordered Mr Uzodimma to immediately stop presenting himself as the candidate of the APC for the Imo West senatorial election slated for January 16, 2027.

Mr Wike, while dismissing the alleged links to the judgement, said, “Anybody calling my name is being mischievous. I didn’t go to court; I’m not in APC. I don’t know what the issues are. 

“People are saying that because, a day before that judgement he had openly warned his people there’s no Rainbow Coalition; if I see you, I’ll collect the vehicle from you, Very uncivilized. 

“So, when that thing (judgement) now happened, it was credited that it was me. How would it have been me? What is Hope Uzodimma afraid of in the Rainbow Coalition? What is the problem?”

Mr Wike who stated that he has no apologies for being friends with Mr Okorocha, insisted that President Bola Tinubu re-election was his priority and urged Mr Uzodimma to also make that his priority. 

The minister stated that he could not support Mr Uzodimma because it was not the turn of his people in the state, adding that his family and the governor’s were having land issues.