President Bola Tinubu has publicly extended an invitation to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), signaling a potential major political realignment in Nigerian politics.
Speaking during the commissioning of Arterial Road N16 in Abuja's Katampe District, Tinubu praised Wike's governance contributions before making the lighthearted but politically significant invitation.
"We have somebody—Nyesom Wike—he is not a member of my party (APC), not yet. But the day he changes his mind and registers with the progressives, we will welcome him. Because we will enjoy singing 'as e dey pain dem, e dey sweet us,'" Tinubu said, drawing laughter from attendees including Wike himself.
Wike's Divided Loyalties
Though officially still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Wike has been a prominent Tinubu supporter since the 2023 general election. Following internal conflicts within the PDP after its presidential primaries, Wike declined to support his party's candidate, Atiku Abubakar, instead backing Tinubu.
Appointed FCT Minister in August 2023 by the APC-led administration, Wike has pledged allegiance to President Tinubu, even vowing to lead his re-election campaign in Rivers State in 2027.
"I am a key asset. I will lead President Tinubu's re-election campaign in Rivers State," Wike declared in a recent media briefing.
PDP Internal Tensions
Wike's divided loyalties have caused significant fractures within the PDP. Calls for his expulsion have faced resistance from his loyalist faction within the party.
On Monday, Wike demanded that the PDP must zone its 2027 presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria "in the spirit of inclusion and equity." He also raised procedural concerns, stating that only the National Secretary, currently Senator Sam Anyanwu, can constitutionally call party meetings.
These developments suggest deepening divisions within Nigeria's main opposition party while potentially strengthening Tinubu's political position ahead of future electoral contests.
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