Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has thrown a veiled jab at governors and party leaders defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying their actions have vindicated his earlier support for President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking on Wednesday during the flag-off of the construction of the main carriageways on the Outer Southern Expressway in Abuja, Wike remarked that the same politicians who accused him of destabilising the PDP are now openly joining the APC.
“I have been watching on daily television and social media, people who said I want to destabilise the party, I am working for the APC. All of them are now in the APC,” Wike said.
“So, which means if it is true, they should commend me for working for where they are heading. I should be commended for doing a good job for them.”
Wike, who remains a PDP member but backed APC’s Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election, has continued to defy calls from within his party for disciplinary action over alleged anti-party activities. Instead, he maintains that his support for Tinubu has proven beneficial for the country.
“Tinubu’s Leadership Is Transformational”
Wike praised President Tinubu for what he described as “decisive leadership” that has improved financial stability for states, eliminating the need for governors to rely heavily on bank loans to execute projects or pay salaries.
“Today, by the leadership of somebody… the Federal Capital Territory and all the states are no longer running around banks. Rather, banks are now looking for states, begging for business,” he said.
“Every state now has money — not only to pay salaries and carry out government activities, but also to embark on major projects. It was not like that before.”
He argued that Tinubu’s governance style would prevent governors from leaving behind huge debts for their successors, calling it a significant shift from past administrations.
Governors Dump PDP Amid Growing Realignments
Wike’s comments came a day after two high-profile defections from the PDP. Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State officially joined the APC, citing the need to “connect the South-East to the centre.” Similarly, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri announced his defection to the ruling party during a meeting at the State Government House.
Both defections have intensified speculation about the ongoing collapse of the PDP’s internal cohesion — a crisis many party loyalists blame on Wike’s political maneuvers and open alignment with President Tinubu.
Despite the mounting calls for his expulsion from the PDP, Wike has insisted that he remains loyal to his own political convictions and has vowed to support Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
