Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has clarified that his decision to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election does not amount to a commitment to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Wike made the clarification during a recent interview with ARISE News, while reacting to the rejection of his proposed “Rainbow Coalition” by the APC Governors’ Forum.
The former Rivers State governor said he had informed President Tinubu from the outset that he would support his bid for a second term, but never promised to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.
“I said I will support the President from day one. I never told Mr. President I will join APC. Go and ask him,” Wike said.
He also dismissed the suggestion that Imo State Governor and Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodinma, could influence his decision on whether to join the ruling party.
“If I want to join APC, it’s not people like Hope who will tell me to join APC,” Wike said.
He added: “In fact, he is lucky I’m not in APC because I wouldn’t take that kind of rubbish he is doing in APC.”
Wike’s comments followed the APC Governors’ Forum’s decision not to support political arrangements that could undermine the party, its candidates or Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
Uzodinma, who chairs the forum, had said APC governors would remain committed to candidates sponsored by the party at all levels.
However, Wike maintained that his political initiative was focused on mobilising support for Tinubu and was not an attempt to merge with or join the APC.
“I am not entering into any unity with your party. I have never made a comment about the party. I only made a comment that I will support Mr President from day one,” he said.
He further argued that supporting a presidential candidate should not necessarily prevent members of other political parties from backing their own candidates in governorship and legislative elections.
Wike also questioned the concerns raised by APC governors over his political activities, arguing that voters could support different parties for different positions during the same election.
The FCT Minister has continued to maintain his membership of the PDP while openly supporting Tinubu’s re-election bid, a position that has generated political exchanges between him and some APC governors ahead of the 2027 elections.
