Sturdy indications have emerged that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is getting ready to go away the Peoples Democratic Celebration (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) forward of the 2027 basic elections.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, has remained probably the most influential figures in nationwide politics since his appointment as FCT Minister by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023.
His appointment adopted his open help for Tinubu throughout the 2023 presidential election, regardless of being a senior member of the PDP on the time.
Recent info gathered by POLITICS NIGERIA means that his deliberate transfer to the APC won’t be rapid. It’s anticipated to occur nearer to the 2027 elections and can contain a big political realignment throughout Rivers State and different components of the nation.
An in depth political affiliate of the minister disclosed that Wike’s defection would include a large turnout of loyalists and supporters.
Based on him, “and all of his allies inside and out of doors Rivers state will be a part of him within the APC. Will probably be a carnival type of occasion. The occasion might be large and vibrant”.
The ally defined that the timing of the defection is strategic. He mentioned Wike intends to attend till the following election season approaches earlier than making his transfer.
He added that, “Wike’s deliberate defection might be near the 2027 basic election.”
The supply additional claimed that the ruling APC is positioning itself to draw extra influential politicians forward of 2027 so as to weaken opposition events.
He mentioned this technique would be certain that “different political events will solely have weak presidential candidates in 2027 who won’t pose any severe problem to Bola Tinubu”.
Talking additional, the ally insisted that Wike’s total political construction would transfer with him.
In his phrases, “the minister will find yourself within the APC with all of us who’re his loyalists each in Rivers state and different components of the nation. However that won’t be now. He’ll delay it until it will get near the time of the election. By that point, PDP should have been completely weakened and can’t problem President Tinubu”.
He additionally spoke on the inner disaster throughout the PDP and pointed to rising rivalry amongst its main figures.
Based on him, governors Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and Seyi Makinde of Oyo State are each within the occasion’s presidential ticket.
He mentioned this ambition might additional divide the occasion.
“That is what is going to deliver additional disaster to the occasion as a result of Seyi won’t concede the ticket to Bala Mohammed,” he said.
He additionally claimed that Wike and Makinde have maintained a protracted political relationship.
He alleged that Wike performed a task within the launch of N50 billion to Oyo State following a fireplace incident.
He mentioned, “Seyi Makinde has been the minister’s pal for a while now. It was Wike who influenced the cost of the N50billion by the federal authorities when there was hearth incident in Oyo state. That cash was not appropriated by the Oyo state authorities. It was Wike that facilitated the discharge of the cash”.
On the political disaster in Rivers State, the supply addressed the impeachment strikes towards Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
He insisted that the method was not beneath Wike’s management.
“The entire matter is past the FCT Minister. The Meeting is decided greater than ever earlier than to take away the governor as a result of he has failed in each facet of the Treaty reached,” he mentioned.
He recalled a reconciliation assembly held in Port Harcourt final yr.
“I used to be privileged to be within the assembly known as by the Minister in Port Harcourt. Fubara was invited and all of us who’re allies of the minister had been there. We got here again collectively as a political household. That assembly was in September final yr. Wike instructed Fubara to make association for one more assembly in October which he agreed however later reneged,” he said.
He added that the breakdown of belief adopted Fubara’s failure to satisfy with lawmakers and tackle their welfare.
“It was when he refused to do these issues he agreed to do like assembly with the management of the Meeting and paying their due allowances that Wike determined to embark on the tour of the native authorities areas to inform Rivers people who they had been no extra collectively,” he mentioned.
The supply additionally revealed particulars surrounding the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State final yr.
He claimed that President Tinubu didn’t straight inform Wike earlier than taking the choice.
He mentioned, “when the state of emergency was declared in March final yr, President Tinubu didn’t inform Wike. President known as (Senator Godswill) Akpabio and knowledgeable him. The President ordered the only administrator (Vice Admiral Etteh Ibas retired) to work with Wike”.
He additional alleged that the only administrator settled excellent points with lawmakers.
“It was the only administrator that paid the allowances that had been owed the Meeting members. Gave them automobiles and paid for constituency initiatives. Sim has not paid them something. He refused to implement the issues he promised he would do for them,” he mentioned.
In the meantime, the FCT Minister has repeatedly praised President Tinubu’s management and defended his administration’s insurance policies, fueling hypothesis of his full alignment with the APC forward of 2027.