Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has clarified that he never made any commitment to President Bola Tinubu to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Wike made the clarification while speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time, where he addressed speculation surrounding his political relationship with Tinubu and his possible movement into the ruling APC.
According to the former Rivers State governor, the commitment he made was specifically to support Tinubu’s bid for another term in office and not to become a member of the president’s political party.
Wike said his position had been clear from the beginning, stressing that he informed those involved that he would support the president.
“I told them I would support the President right from the start,” Wike said.
He further stated that he never told Tinubu that he would join the APC.
“I never told Mr. President I will join APC. Go and ask him.”
The minister’s comments are significant amid continuing speculation over the political affiliations of members of the G5 group and their relationship with the PDP following the 2023 presidential election.
Wike was one of the prominent members of the PDP who openly opposed the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, during the 2023 election. Alongside other members of the G5 governors’ group, he had demanded changes within the PDP before the election.
Following Tinubu’s victory, Wike was appointed Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, despite remaining a member of the PDP. His appointment has since generated considerable political discussion, particularly regarding his relationship with the president and the possibility of a formal defection to the APC.
However, Wike’s latest comments indicate that he considers support for Tinubu and membership of the APC to be two separate issues.
The FCT minister also took a swipe at Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma during the interview. Wike said that if he ever decided to join the APC, he would not require Uzodinma or any other individual to persuade him to do so.
“If I want to join APC, it’s not people like Hope who will tell me to join APC,” he said.
Wike went further, criticizing what he described as Uzodinma’s conduct within the ruling party.
“In fact, he is lucky I’m not in APC because I wouldn’t put up with that kind of nonsense he’s doing in APC,” the minister added.
Wike’s Political Position
Wike’s comments reinforce the distinction he has repeatedly drawn between his relationship with President Tinubu and his membership of the PDP.
Although his decision to support Tinubu has placed him at odds with sections of his own party, Wike has continued to publicly identify himself with the PDP rather than announcing a formal defection to the APC.
His latest remarks therefore suggest that, at least based on the commitment he described during the interview, his political support for Tinubu does not automatically amount to an agreement to join the ruling party.
The comments are also likely to fuel further debate about the political calculations surrounding the 2027 general election, particularly as politicians across Nigeria continue to reassess their alliances ahead of the next electoral cycle.
