The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has cautioned politicians that joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) or openly declaring loyalty to President Bola Tinubu does not automatically secure a second‑term ticket.
Wike issued the warning on Tuesday while addressing supporters in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, during his ongoing consultations across the state.
He was received by Emohua council chairman Chidi Lloyd, traditional ruler Sergeant Awuse, and other party leaders. The minister used the occasion to reinforce his long‑held position on political loyalty and agreements.
Wike told the crowd that the Ikwerre ethnic nationality must remain relevant in Nigeria’s political equation. He warned against complacency and political marginalisation.
“Political relevance is earned through strategic decisions and consistency, not by following political trends after victories have already been secured,” he said.
The former Rivers governor cautioned that merely declaring support for President Tinubu after the 2023 elections should not be mistaken for an automatic pathway to re‑election.
“Politics must be guided by clearly defined agreements. Promises made must be honoured. Loyalty without structure or commitment carries no guarantees,” Wike added.
PDP Crisis and 2027 Elections
From Emohua, Wike proceeded to Isiokpo in Ikwerre Local Government Area, where he delivered a similar message.
There, Samuel Nwanosike, Chairman of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency and former council chairman, pledged continued support for Wike.
He dismissed claims that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) could gain a foothold in the council.
Wike’s engagements in Ikwerre land may be deliberately designed to consolidate his political base, even as his remarks point to emerging realignments and possible tensions ahead of the next electoral cycle in Rivers State.
On Monday, Wike also addressed the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) during a media chat in Port Harcourt. He warned that if the party fails to resolve its internal crisis, its chances of returning to power in 2027 would be jeopardised.
“We have a leadership that is not focused. We have a leadership that does not know what to do or take any suggestions,” Wike said.
“If the leadership is committed and comes back to say we have made a mistake, why is it that things are happening this way, and what do we do to make corrections? It is not just to take over the government; you have to position yourself.”
He added: “If the leadership is like that, you say look by 2027, it is likely that we may not make it, but are we going to allow the party to die? Can’t we start to build up and let us make the right decision against 2027? It is all dependent on the leadership.”
The PDP has struggled with internal crises since the 2023 elections and has lost several members, including serving governors, to the APC.
Wike vs Makinde
During the interview, Wike mocked the November 15 PDP National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State. He accused Governor Seyi Makinde of being desperate to control the party and obtaining an ex parte order from an Ibadan court to hold the exercise.
Wike and Makinde, once close allies, have recently clashed. On December 23, Makinde accused Wike of attempting to weaken the PDP in support of President Tinubu’s second‑term ambition.
Makinde recounted discussions he said he had with Tinubu and Wike, warning that such manoeuvres threaten Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.
Speaking at the Government House in Ibadan, Makinde disclosed that President Tinubu once asked him to help organise the APC in Oyo State.
“The President said, ‘No Seyi, it is you that I want to help me organise APC in Oyo.’ And I said, ‘No sir, I am of the PDP; I can never help you organise the APC in Oyo State.’ If we had a government of national unity, a government of national competence, we would have been in a very different environment right now,” Makinde said.
He further alleged that during a meeting attended by Tinubu, Wike, the president’s chief of staff, and other officials, the FCT minister openly offered to hold the PDP for the president ahead of the 2027 elections.
Makinde said the comment shocked him and raised concerns about efforts to erode the opposition and push Nigeria towards a one‑party system.
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