Imo Lawyers for the Defence of Democracy have urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to stop what they described as personal attacks against Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma.

The lawyers, who spoke on Friday at a press conference, said the growing public exchanges between Wike and Uzodinma over political differences were becoming unnecessarily personal and capable of creating tension in the state.

The latest disagreement between Wike and Uzodinma is linked to the political activities of Wike’s proposed “Rainbow Coalition” ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Wike has been promoting the coalition as a platform to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, while maintaining that his support for Tinubu does not mean he must support APC candidates in other elections.

The dispute escalated on September 14, when the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), chaired by Uzodinma, rejected any political alliance or arrangement that could weaken the APC or adversely affect its candidates in the 2027 elections.

Uzodinma said the governors’ commitment was to Tinubu and APC candidates at all levels.

Wike subsequently criticised the APC governors, describing them as politically lazy and challenging their political capacity.

He also made specific references to Uzodinma, including questioning the APC’s performance in Imo during the 2023 presidential election.

The group’s Secretary, Ifeoma Chukwunyere, acknowledged the right of political actors to express their opinions, criticise policies and participate in political activities.

Chukwunyere said such freedoms should not be used as a basis for personal attacks, intimidation or unnecessary escalation.

The lawyers maintained that Uzodinma, as the elected governor of Imo State, should be allowed to discharge his constitutional responsibilities without political intimidation or undue external pressure.

The group also faulted Wike’s approach to the disagreement over the Rainbow Coalition, saying the APC Governors’ Forum had rejected the political arrangement because it considered it capable of weakening the party or creating divided loyalty.

According to the lawyers, if Wike had disagreements with the decision of the APC Governors’ Forum, his grievances should be directed at the forum rather than Uzodinma personally.

“The APC Governors’ Forum in their wisdom had rejected the fraudulent Rainbow Coalition as projected by Minister Wike. Rather than show cause or plead for the APC Governors Forum to accept his Rainbow Coalition, he has chosen to personally attack Governor Uzodinma,” they said.

The lawyers described the development as bad, treacherous and mischievous, while insisting that Imo State should not become a battleground for political supremacy.

They urged all political actors to pursue disagreements through democratic dialogue, constitutional processes and the rule of law.

The group called on Wike to refrain from further public comments concerning Uzodinma, stressing that political disagreements should not be allowed to threaten peace and stability in the state.

They also appealed to President Bola Tinubu, as President and appointing authority of the FCT minister, to encourage restraint.

“We personally feel that the attack by Wike on Governor Uzodinma is too personal,” the lawyers said.

Addressing the FCT minister directly, they added: “Mr. Minister, Imo State belongs to its people. You are not from Imo so stay off Imo.”

The group said it would continue to defend the mandate given to Uzodinma by the people of Imo State, as well as the constitutional rights of residents, regardless of political affiliation.

It, however, urged Uzodinma to continue to act within the Constitution and laws of Nigeria, while allowing relevant political and legal institutions to handle legitimate disagreements.

The lawyers also appealed to political parties, leaders, supporters and media platforms to avoid language capable of inflaming tensions or provoking confrontation.

“Imo State deserves peace. Nigeria deserves responsible political leadership. Political disagreements are normal in a democracy, but personal hostility must not undermine democratic institutions or endanger public peace,” they said.