The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has expressed vindication for his support of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, citing the recent exodus of prominent leaders and state governors from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, made this assertion on Wednesday during a ceremony marking the commencement of construction on the main carriageways of the outer southern expressway in Abuja.
Wike noted that certain governors had formerly criticized him for allegedly destabilizing the PDP and aligning with the APC. However, he felt that instead of criticizing him, these governors should express gratitude towards him for “doing a good job” by creating a pathway for them to seamlessly transition into the ruling party.
He said, “I have been watching on daily television and social media, people who said I want to destabilise the party, I am working for the APC. All of them are now in the APC. So, which means if it is true, they should commend me for working for where they are heading. So, I should be commended for doing a good job for them.”
Speaking further, the Minister pointed out that the governors could no longer claim lack of resources, given the “decisive leadership” of President Tinubu, which has enabled all states to access sufficient funds to settle salaries and implement notable projects and initiatives.
Wike continued, “Let every state be sincere to their people, and to Nigerians. I was a governor for eight years. I was a governor running around banks to look for money to do projects. Sometimes, every month, the money that comes will not be enough to pay salaries and all other allowances, not to talk about doing projects.
“Today, by the leadership of somebody, by the decisive leadership of somebody who has made it possible for all the states, and the Federal Capital Territory, not to be running around banks again. Rather, banks are now looking for states to say ‘look, don’t throw us away, we are here’.
“Somebody has made that possible; every state now has money. Not only to pay salaries, not only to carry out government activities, but also to embark on projects. It was not like that before.”
Wike characterised the decision to defect and support President Tinubu’s administration as a worthwhile move, emphasising that governors can now manage their finances effectively and won’t burden their successors with debts, a stark contrast to the past trend.
“So, if, for that reason, so many people are going to support Mr President, I think it is worthwhile. Now, no governor will talk about leaving debts for his successor, unlike what used to happen before. That is the leadership of somebody.
“And that’s what this country needs for now. Visionary leadership, purposeful leadership, that will be able to take decisions. Decisions that people were running away from taking when they had the opportunity,” he said.
In a significant political shift, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri have both defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). While Mbah decamped to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Diri is silent about his next political move.
Governor Mbah announced his decision to join the APC just 24 hours before Governor Diri’s defection, citing national development under President Tinubu’s leadership as his reason. Governor Diri’s exit from the PDP was accompanied by 23 members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.
This development marks the fourth PDP governor to dump the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The defections are seen as a boost to President Tinubu’s administration and the APC’s prospects in the upcoming elections.
