Wike Says Critics Who Mocked Him Are Now in APC

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike on Wednesday criticized his detractors, saying those who once condemned him for supporting President Bola Tinubu have now joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Wike, 57, a senior member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has served in the APC-led federal government since 2023. While he has not formally left the PDP, his active role in Tinubu’s presidential campaign helped deliver his home state of Rivers to the ruling party in 2023.

Speaking at the flag-off of construction work on the main carriageways of the outer southern expressway in Abuja, Wike said some PDP governors had previously accused him of undermining the party by aligning with the APC. He argued that the subsequent defections vindicated his position.

“I have been watching on daily television and social media, people who said I want to destabilize the party, I am working for the APC,” Wike said.

“All of them are now in the APC. 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.”

The minister added that the exodus of PDP leaders and governors has further justified his continued support for President Tinubu. He suggested that the mass defections were evidence that his critics were ultimately following the path he had endorsed.

Defections Shake Opposition Party

The political landscape has witnessed a string of high-profile PDP defections in recent months, signalling turbulence in the opposition party. On Tuesday, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah publicly announced his exit from the PDP, joining the APC along with his commissioners, the chairpersons of all 17 local government areas, elected councillors, and about 80 per cent of the state’s PDP executives.

A day later, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri followed suit, resigning from the PDP for reasons he described as “obvious,” though he did not disclose the party he would be joining. These moves came after similar defections earlier in the year by Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno, who both joined the ruling APC with their officials and appointees.

In the past six months, the PDP has lost four governors, raising concerns about the party’s ability to remain united and competitive ahead of the 2027 general elections. The defections highlight growing dissatisfaction among party members and the appeal of the APC as the ruling party.

Read also: Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri Resigns From PDP

Political analysts note that Wike’s remarks are a clear attempt to position himself as a strategic actor within Nigeria’s shifting political landscape. By framing the defections as validation of his earlier support for the APC, Wike reinforces his relevance and influence despite remaining formally in the PDP.

Observers also point out that the wave of defections underscores challenges facing opposition parties in maintaining cohesion and loyalty, particularly when influential leaders perceive better political opportunities elsewhere. The departure of governors from the PDP could significantly impact the party’s electoral strength in the South-South and South-East regions.

While Wike continues to serve in the federal government under an APC-led administration, his comments signal a growing alignment with the ruling party’s trajectory. Whether he will formally switch parties remains to be seen, but the recent political shifts suggest that Nigeria’s political map is undergoing a profound transformation.