I’ll Remain In PDP, Lead Tinubu’s Re-Election Campaign – Wike

Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has doubled down on his political realignment, declaring that he will lead President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign in Rivers State—despite remaining a high-profile member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, made the declaration during a media chat in Abuja on Monday, where he said his loyalty in 2027 would lie with President Tinubu, not the PDP’s presidential candidate.“I have told you this before. Is it because I am in Asiwaju’s presidency? Are you not aware I will lead his campaign in Rivers State? You want me to say no?” Wike said.Wike, who served as governor of Rivers State until 2023, supported Tinubu, then the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), during the last election. His open backing of the APC candidate, despite being a senior PDP figure, deepened the internal crisis within the opposition party.Tensions between Wike and the PDP leadership escalated after his defeat in the party’s 2022 presidential primary. Following the primary, Wike was also passed over as Atiku’s running mate, with the ticket instead going to former Delta State governor Ifeanyi Okowa—against the advice of some party stakeholders.

In the aftermath, Wike and a group of dissenting governors known as the G5 demanded the resignation of then PDP National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, as a condition for supporting the party’s presidential campaign. Atiku’s failure to persuade Ayu to step down led Wike to throw his weight behind Tinubu—a move that earned him the powerful FCT portfolio in Tinubu’s cabinet.

During Monday’s media chat, Wike predicted a dramatic turnaround for Tinubu in the Federal Capital Territory, where the president secured less than 10 per cent of the vote in 2023.

“Are you not aware that he did not get up to 10 per cent here in the FCT? But he will win here. Are you not aware?” Wike asked rhetorically. “Stop asking me questions you know. Of course, you know. Is that hidden?”